Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett says Handré Pollard’s job is to be an error-free flyhalf.
Pollard produced a nightmare display in the Vodacom Bulls’ 36-7 defeat to Leinster in the URC final at Croke Park last Friday night.
The 32-year-old double World Cup-winning Springbok flyhalf was involved in several costly errors, including a handling mistake that led to Leinster’s opening try and a penalty kick that failed to find touch on the stroke of half-time.
Speaking on the Talking Boks podcast, Mallett said Pollard’s first-half display was among the most error-strewn he had seen from the veteran playmaker.
“He certainly didn’t have his best half. That first half was probably one where he made more mistakes than I saw him make in the whole of the 2023 World Cup.”
Mallett stressed that Pollard’s role differs from that of more instinctive attacking flyhalves and requires him to excel in the fundamentals.
“He has to understand that his job is to be an error-free player. He can never make a mistake.
“From the kick-off, he’s got to kick it perfectly over the 15m line and put it in a contestable position where his team can challenge the receiver.
“If he kicks a penalty to touch, there’s absolutely no excuse for not finding touch.”
ALSO: Ackers insists Bulls future is bright
The former Bok coach believes Pollard’s strengths lie in game management and execution rather than individual attacking brilliance.
“Where Handré isn’t as good as some other flyhalves is in their ability to break the game open and perhaps their passing ability,” he said. “So when I say he needs to be a flawless player, I mean that in terms of what he does.
“He must never miss a tackle, never throw a poor pass and make sure his kicks go exactly where they’re supposed to go.
“The kick that missed touch just before half-time, which could have brought them back into the game, wasn’t good enough.
“You look at a guy like Manie Libbok and you vaguely excuse those things because Manie does so much else with the ball.
“But with Handré, that’s what he’s got to do right. He’s got to get those things right.”
KEO: Bulls’ big names froze in final
Despite his criticism of Pollard’s display, Mallett made it clear he remains a huge admirer of him.
“I would say he’s probably always been the flyhalf who doesn’t get the best out of his outside backs in terms of attacking play, but in terms of following a game plan, he’s absolutely remarkably good.
“He’s just got to make sure that he never makes mistakes.”
Despite his difficult outing in Dublin, Pollard was one of three flyhalves named in the Springbok squad for the Nations Championship Tests against England, Scotland and Wales, alongside Libbok and Junior Bok Vusi Moyo.
First-choice Bok No 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu remains sidelined with an ankle injury.
WATCH: Manie mic’d up in Japan
Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Gallo Images
The post Mallett: Handré must never make mistakes appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett says Handré Pollard’s job is to be an error-free flyhalf.
The post Mallett: Handré must never make mistakes appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
