‘We need personalities like Henry Pollock’: White on rugby’s rising star

Western Force skipper Nic White believes it’s “absolutely awesome” to see what Henry Pollock has already done for the sport, calling on rugby fans to celebrate the young British & Irish Lions backrower who is fast becoming a household name.

Pollock captured headlines and took social media by storm during a remarkable rise from World Rugby U20 Championship glory with England to the British & Irish Lions in less than 12 months, having starred for Northampton Saints during their run to the Champions Cup decider.

After turning 20 in January, Pollock went viral with an iconic basketball celebration against French side Castres and a ‘pulse check’ gesture against Leinster – Wallabies flanker Carlo Tizzano did the very same after scoring a try for the Force in Super Rugby Pacific last season.

Sam Cane on the differences he experienced with the Barbarians

Sam Cane on the differences he experienced with the Barbarians

Bordeaux-Begles players would late mock the one-Test England international after triumphing over Pollock’s Saints in the Champions Cup final in Cardiff. France pivot Matthieu Jalibert and Bordeaux coach Yannick Bru were among those pictured doing the pulse check.

Pollock became a social media sensation once again after debuting for the Lions against Los Pumas in Dublin, and the backrower has been named to start at No. 8 against the Force at Optus Stadium on Saturday evening.

White obviously doesn’t want to see the young Lion score this weekend, but the Force captain has called on Pollock to do “some Aussie stuff” in Aussie Rules heartland, like mimicking an AFL goal umpire if given the chance.

“I think it’s awesome, absolutely awesome. We need personalities like Henry Pollock in the game and hopefully he doesn’t score against us but hopefully he scores a couple on this tour where he can do those celebrations,” White told reporters.

“We need those guys and I think the game should celebrate those guys. I certainly look forward to meeting him, I haven’t played against him or met him, so I look forward [to meeting him] after the game – hopefully he hasn’t scored any and celebrated.

“If he is going to score any and celebrate I’d say maybe some Aussie stuff… I think we absolutely need to celebrate it.”

Pollock’s selection in the Lions’ run-on side was one of the big talking points on Thursday, with coach Andy Farrell fronting the press alongside new captain Dan Sheehan. This will be Sheehan’s first match for the Lions, set to lead the touring side on debut.

Scotland’s Finn Russell will steer the ship as the team’s starting fly-half, linking up with Wales’s Tomos Williams in the halves. White was full of compliments for both starters, describing the pair as “mavericks” ahead of the Lions’ first match on Australian soil in 12 years.

“They’re two guys who love to play,” White said.

“Tomos with his sevens background, he loves to run, step, always looking for an opportunity.

“Finn, you don’t even need to give him an opportunity, he’ll make one and create one from nothing.

“They’re some mavericks there, certainly Finn Russell, we all know what we can do, he’s got a whole back of tricks there. It’s exciting, right? They’re the best of the north and he’s right at the forefront of that so pretty pumped to be able to play against that and see how we go up against it.

“We’re not going to sit back and watch, we’re going to make sure we put some pressure on them and see how they go.”