Pollard on Tigers boss: 'There's no bullsh*t with him'
SPOTLIGHT: It seems Steve Borthwick is everything Handre Pollard wants in a coach.
Pollard will be joining Leicester Tigers from Montpellier at the end of the current European season. He admitted that he turned down bigger offers to join the English club and it has become clear that head coach Borthwick played a big role in his decision.
According to reports, Pollard’s annual salary will be around £600 000 (ZAR 12.5-million).
In a question-and-answer session with the Tigers’ website, Pollard opened up on why working with Borthwick was a factor.
“Yeah, look, he has a very clear vision for what he wants and what he expects,” Pollard.
“I want that.
“There is no bullsh*t with him. I respect that.
“He is straight up and that’s what I love about a head coach, straight in your face – whether you like it or not – and I want that, I respect that.”
Meanwhile, when Pollard does head over to Leicester next year he will be reunited with Aled Walters (Head of Physical Performance).
Walters was part of the coaching team that guided the Springboks to World Cup glory in 2019.
“Aled [Walters] was a big factor for me coming to you [Leicester], he is world class,” Pollard.
“He looks after people and prepares you to be in the best shape of your life. That excites me too, to work with Aled again.
“I only had two years with him at the Springboks and, when he left I was quite sad, so to be able to work with him again is massive for me. I can’t wait.”
In the first interview after signing with the club ahead of next season, Handré Pollard chats with https://t.co/RClnWoIqiC about his decision to make the move to the East Midlands.
— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) December 7, 2021
