Ardie Savea praises Henry Pollock for ‘proving’ connotation ‘wrong’ with British and Irish Lions call

Jared Wright
British and Irish Lions call-up Henry Pollock and an inset of All Blacks star Ardie Savea.

Ardie Savea has hailed Henry Pollock after his inclusion in Andy Farrell's British and Irish Lions squad.

All Blacks star Ardie Savea is the latest to praise British and Irish Lions bolter Henry Pollock, but admits he may not watch him in action in Australia.

Savea freely admits that he doesn’t watch much rugby outside of his teams but has been impressed by fellow back-rower Pollock.

Savea hails Henry Pollock

It’s been a real breakout season for the Northampton Saints star, who is set to represent England U20s and the senior team in the same year that he becomes a Lion.

He is the youngest player in Andy Farrell’s squad to tour Australia, having earned his place after a barnstorming performance against Leinster in the Investec Champions Cup semi-final.

Speaking ahead of Moana Pasifika’s match against the Blues in Super Rugby Pacific, Savea was asked for his views on the Lions squad, and he singled out the one-cap England loose forward.

According to the All Blacks’ website, Savea tips the scales at 99kgs and stands 1.90m tall, with Pollock being of a similar build, being two centimetres shorter and a kilogram heavier.

Savea pointed to Pollock’s size, dubbing him a fellow ‘light-loose forward’ who is rubbishing the idea that big back-rowers are needed.

“If you know me, I don’t watch much rugby outside of my own teams,” he told reporters.

“But obviously, seeing the Lions squad being named and knowing how important that tour is.

“The main thing I got out of it was how good Henry Pollock is, shucks, shout out to my brother because he represents the light-loose forwards man.

Henry Pollock rubbishes ‘conspiracy theory’ about ‘pulse check’ celebration against Leinster

“For so long and still now, there is that connotation of loose forwards having to be big, and he is proving it wrong once again with the way he plays.

“It’s going to be a good series, I’ll probably watch it now and then, but it’s like, I’ve got my three kids running around so it’s the last thing on my mind.”

While Pollock’s performance against Leinster was certainly impressive, his Test debut against Wales was too.

He came off the bench in the Six Nations fixture, scoring two tries in quick succession for Steve Borthwick’s side.

Northampton won’t be able to defend their Premiership title, having already missed out the play-offs, but they do have a shot at glory in the Champions Cup when they face Bordeaux next weekend in Cardiff.

But before then, Pollock is set to link up with his Lions teammates who meet in London on Sunday for the first team gathering.

READ MORE: Henry Pollock’s ploy to avoid B&I Lions blunder which sent Louis Rees-Zammit ‘to the NFL’

British and Irish Lions Ardie Savea Henry Pollock

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