Pollard focuses on Bulls

Published Mar 10, 2015

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As true as the old adage “one swallow doesn’t make a summer” may be, there was something about Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard’s Man of the Match performance against the Cheetahs that made him a Bulls hero overnight.

Pollard’s talent and maturity has been well documented in the 20 year-old’s meteoric rise in the rugby world but there were many that felt that Pollard still owed the Bulls a performance as big as he has put in playing for the Springboks and Junior Springboks.

While Pollard did not have enough opportunities to showcase his talents for the Bulls in Super Rugby last season, it was only going to be a matter of time before Pollard proved his worth for his franchise.

After struggling with his rhythm in kicking for poles and playing behind a pack that was being bullied in the first two rounds of the competition, on Saturday in Bloemfontein Pollard put in a sterling performance.

Pollard scored 29 of his team’s points in their 39-20 win over the Cheetahs with a try, kicking over three conversions, five penalties and a drop-goal for a full house.

It was a solo performance that helped elevate the Bulls to fifth place on the Super Rugby log and one that made him a frontrunner for the Springboks flyhalf berth at the Rugby World Cup later this year.

However, a humble Pollard says his focus is far from cementing his place in the national team’s starting XV but more on making sure that the Bulls go on to win their fourth Super Rugby title.

Pollard is embroiled in an intriguing battle for the Bok No10 jersey against Sharks flyhalf Patrick Lambie who is also putting in equally good performances for his team even though the Durban-based franchise has fallen on hard times recently.

“It’s easy, very easy (not to think about the Springboks No10 jersey).

“It is a long time out and Pat is also playing some great rugby at the moment and it is great competition.

“For now I have to focus on the Bulls because we want to win Super Rugby, so let’s tick that box first and we will go on from there,” Pollard said.

”It is nice getting the reward but it was a team effort at the end of the day,” Pollard said of his performance against the Cheetahs.

“Our forwards played out of their skins and got us on the front foot and that is when your flyhalf can get into the game and start playing on the front foot.

“And I have guys like JJ Engelbrecht and Jan Serfontein next to me it is so easy for me playing with those guys. “They bring such a calmness and Jan is a very experienced guy even though he is young and he helps me a lot,” said Pollard.

The Bulls will enjoy a week off before returning to action against the Western Force next week.

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