24 Aug 2016, 08:10#2
That really was a long layoff! Even for a concussion. Glad he is on his way back to the playing field, because Jantjies has me worried! After every pressure game Jantjies looks less like the long term answer at 10.
Anyone know how Pollard's recovery is progressing?
DEDenny
Captain12,893 posts
24 Aug 2016, 09:57#3
I'm not sure why everyone's thinking Pollard is the #10 holy grail. To me, apart from looking the real deal early in the piece he seems more like an inside centre not a flyhalf. The Boks are stuffed when it comes to flyhalves as they have been since the retirement of Butch James. I've always wondered if it was worth a shot playing Willie Le Roux in the position. I'm not saying he'd be the real deal but he does have good hands either side and he did have the ability to think on his feet.
24 Aug 2016, 10:36#4
Le Roux??? Pull the other one! He is already all over the place tactically, now you want him to take over the no.10 role where he will have even less time to think about things?
Pollard is certainly not a perfect player, and as I said in a post yesterday, he has not lived up to the hype, but it is starting to become clear that Jantjies just does not have what it takes to play under pressure. So we have Lambie, Jantjies and Pollard, none a perfect option, but Pollard has at least looked the business on some occasions when playing against top opposition for the Springboks.
DEDenny
Captain12,893 posts
24 Aug 2016, 11:55#5
I'm not disputing that he was in decline, as a matter of fact I'm on record for saying he was useless as a fullback but early in the piece when he joined the backline and became the playmaker he looked like he had the potential to fulfill the role. I have to use Larkham as an example who converted from fullback to flyhalf with success, who knows perhaps Willie could have done the same. And yes I agree Pollard is a better option than Jantjies.
24 Aug 2016, 15:34#6
Sad news this.
Lambie is a genuinely good guy, and provides depth at crucial positions.
The "science" and treatment of concussions has advanced significantly in the last few years so one hopes he is being cared for and advised with a long term view.