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World Rankings get major Six Nations shake-up
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Eddie Jones likens Henry Pollock to Bok World Cup winner
By Josh Raisey
Former England head coach Eddie Jones believes his successor Steve Borthwick will look back on his decision to start Henry Pollock as one he got wrong in Ireland’s comprehensive 42-21 victory at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium in round three of the Guinness Six Nations.
Northampton Saints’ 21-year-old back-row made his first start for England against Andy Farrell’s side having earned his first seven caps for his country from the bench.
There was a smattering of occasions where Pollock flickered – a half-break in the first half and a burst down the right flank in the second half – but he was largely neutralised by the visitors, who dominated England at the breakdown.
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Jones has since questioned the decision to start Pollock, saying he’s not a “grind player,” perhaps in contrast to Sam Underhill, who found himself on the bench after starting the opening two matches.
Speaking on the Rugby Unity podcast, the Australian likened Pollock to 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok Bobby Skinstad, suggesting they are both better suited to 20-minute cameos.
“Steve will probably look back a think ‘maybe I didn’t get a few things right,'” he said.
“Starting Pollock – Pollock, to me, is like Bobby Skinstad. Good looking, always got a sun tan and can play. But he’s one of those blokes who play for 20 minutes. He’s one of those players who finds himself in the right position but he’s not a grind player.
“To play a full 80 in the back-row, you’ve got to be prepared to grind, and maybe that’s not the best job for him. Maybe that’s not the best job for him.”
Former Australia coach Ewen McKenzie shared the same opinion as Jones on the podcast, saying: “He play’s as a wider ranging player that can sniff opportunities, which has been really good in the last 20. That’s not so good in the first 20 because you can be a man short in the physical exchanges.
“You’ve got the likes of the Earl-type players who are the ones who needed to mix it with Ireland early on in the physical exchanges and you try and get some dominance there and then you get the right to play. They never got that, so guys like Ford are trying to play the game on the back foot and never got to their kicking game.”
