Springbok legend Victor Matfield has questioned Henry Pollock's credentials, claiming he cannot be a superstar given he rarely starts for England and criticising his celebrations. The back-row scored two tries against Australia at the weekend after coming on to cover wing, and has proven a divisive figure since his breakthrough last year.
Matfield's criticism
Former South Africa second-row Matfield claimed that Pollock has yet to prove himself as a top Test player. Speaking on the Rivals podcast, he said: "On Pollock, I know there's big hype around him but I just still can't understand it."
Matfield added: "We spoke about Dan Carter's [behaviour] after a great Test match where he said: 'Listen, did you see who passed to me?' He (Pollock) ran over with an open try line and it's all about him. You should go back to your inside backs who did all the work, the forwards who gave you front foot ball; I just don't understand his celebrations."
Kirwan's defence
Matfield's co-host, All Black legend Sir John Kirwan, insisted that Pollock was a superstar. "I think England need a superstar, I think that's the main problem," he said. "When you think about that English side, whether you like him or not, he's a superstar."
Kirwan also highlighted Pollock's potential as a hybrid player, noting: "The thing that interests me the most is this new hybrid player and if it's going to survive. I know the All Blacks have taken Leicester Fainga'anuku up north as a hybrid and Pollock is maybe one of those new hybrids. That's his best position, putting him on in situations where he's not playing traditionally; I think that's really interesting."
Matfield remained adamant, saying: "How can you be a superstar if you don't even start for your country? You're playing off the bench and you don't make the starting line-up. Superstars for me are Jonah Lomu, Joost van der Westhuizen in South Africa was a pretty big superstar, Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, those are the guys, Schalk Burger as well. Those are the guys week in week out giving their all for their team."
Pollock is in line to start this weekend, with Steve Borthwick set to name him at No. 8 against Japan.
