Pollard's verdict on Champions Cup standard
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok and Leicester Tigers flyhalf Handre Pollard was full of praise of the Champions Cup Competition following his side’s dismantling of the Sharks on Saturday.
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The Tigers claimed their first win of the competition following a resounding 56-17 win over the Durban based side.
As is often the case when your team scores eight tries in a match, it promised to be a busy afternoon for the No.10.
Pollard was more than happy to be called upon throughout, and it was his cool head that allowed him to convert all six of his side’s touchdowns for which he was responsible.
Together with a try of his own, the experienced Springbok ended the match with a personal tally of 17 points and earning the Player of the Match award.
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But as is the way with sportsmen and women at the top of their game, the South African was wary of accepting all the plaudits post-match:
“It was a good match, we played very well at times… Credit to the Sharks, they’re a tough team so we’re happy with the win, but there’s always stuff we can do better.”
Despite revealing recently that he is unsure about his future with the Tigers, Pollard left no doubt over how much he is appreciating every moment in a Leicester shirt at the moment:
“There’s nothing like it, it’s the most unbelievable place, and it’s a privilege to play here… it’s unbelievable.”
And to play in club rugby’s greatest competition is another aspect that the flyhalf is more than grateful for at this point:
“This is the ultimate club competition – you measure yourself against the best, and that’s what you want to do as a player – it’s great. You play in different conditions, in different countries and it’s an unbelievable competition.”
With a win and two bonus points under their belts so far in this year’s Champions Cup, Handré Pollard’s Tigers will go again in January with a solid foundation already laid to push on as they eye qualification from the pool.
Source @ChampionsCup
Watch the highly acclaimed five-part documentary Chasing the Sun 2, chronicling the journey of the Springboks as they strive to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup, free on RugbyPass TV (*unavailable in Africa)
