Ackermann: The best version of Pollard yet to come
As the well-documented aphorism says: ‘Form is temporary, class is permanent.’
The phrase, which first appeared in British newspapers and sporting commentary from the 1920s to 1940s, is an apt description of Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard.
Pollard, capped 85 times by his country, has had a fractious start to life at the Bulls.
Despite the obvious subpar performances, at times, he has given glimpses of his true class.
This past weekend, in the 52-17 demolition of the Lions at Ellis Park, he bounced back from an error-riddled first half to play a pivotal role in the second-half demolition of their hosts.
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Pollard made eight tackles and missed four, symptomatic of his form this year.
Pollard also conceded three turnovers in a scrappy start to the game, before he settled out and produced a second-half masterclass in play-making.
He had eight carries for 27 metres.
Surprisingly he only kicked five times, but passed the ball 17 times and produced one offload.
However, Bulls coach Johan Ackermann believes Pollard will play a vital role in their push for silverware.
In the URC, they may be lagging in the race for the South African Shield, but the win this past weekend has moved them into seventh place in the play-off race.
With the next two rounds (three weeks) still reserved for domestic derbies, the Bulls will look for wins over the Sharks and Stormers, both at Loftus Versfeld, as they look to cement their top-eight spot.
“Handre has shown his pedigree,” Ackermann said of the 31-year-old double World Cup winner.
“He has put his hand up for the teams he played in, Leicester [Tigers], the Bulls and the Springboks.”
Ackermann admitted that the mistakes are frustrating for the player and his team.
* (LISTEN as Bulls coach Johan Ackermann talks about the class of double World Cup winner Handre Pollard…..)
“The kind of player he is, he is hard on himself,” the coach said.
“The team, we all make mistakes.
“The great thing about Handre [Pollard] is he doesn’t become negative after a mistake.
“That is because of the player he is, his character and the experience he has.
“He showed it during the game.
“He never let it get him down, and the players rallied around him.
“You back your flyhalves.
“Hopefully, when we need him [down the line], those mistakes won’t appear, and we’ll get the best out of him.”
Ackermann said Pollard has shown many times what a quality player he is.
“We just have to be patient [with him].”
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