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Perhaps the oddest element arising from the most entertaining Six Nations rugby tournament in living memory has been the attacks on, and defence of, young England loose forward Henry Pollock.
The blond-mopped public schoolboy plays up for the cameras, irritating legions of fans and opposing players. Plenty like his cocky “bad boy” schtick but he’s possibly already the most disliked rugby player in history.
After France won the tournament, beating England 48–46 in the last seconds in a pulsating final match in Paris, the Pollock haters piled on, blaming him. His defenders trotted out the usual line that this “character” is good for the game. His attitude, on-field antics and social media attract a new, younger audience as well as those looking for something more than rugby’s usual flint-jawed, steel-eyed mien.
NZ Herald
