Pollard nominated for IRB Junior Player of the Year Award
Junior Springbok fly half and captain Handré Pollard was on Tuesday June 17 named as one of four nominations for the IRB Junior Player of the Year 2014 Award.
Junior Springbok fly half and captain Handré Pollard was named as one of four nominations for the IRB Junior Player of the Year 2014 Award on Tuesday June 17.
The International Rugby Board has confirmed the shortlist of four nominees for the prestigious Award, with the winner set to be announced following the Junior World Championship final at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday June 20.
Finalists South Africa and England each have a player nominated in captain Pollard and wing Nathan Earle respectively, with Ireland centre Garry Ringrose and New Zealand wing Tevita Li completing the quartet of players.
The management of the 12 teams involved in the #JWC2014 in New Zealand voted on their top three players, after each round with votes tallied to provide the shortlist of nominees.
The public now has the chance to vote on this shortlist on the official Facebook page www.facebook.com/irbjuniors. The results of the public poll will be considered, along with the original votes, when finalising the winner.
Handré Pollard (South Africa)
A player who already has a Junior World Championship winners’ medal to his name from South Africa’s success on home soil in 2012, Pollard now holds the responsibility of captaincy in what is his third experience of the tournament. With a maturity beyond his years, the Vodacom Bulls fly half is a calming influence on his teammates but also a natural leader. In the semi-final he became both the leading point scorer at #JWC2014 and also in the competition’s history. Pollard’s performances in the tournament have led some to suggest him as a possible bolter for South Africa’s squad for RWC 2015.