\n<\/p>\n
The morning after the night before and it is an easy ‘take’ to say Henry Pollock should start for the British and Irish Lions in the first Test against Australia.<\/b><\/p>\n
It was certainly an eye-catching performance from the 20-year-old Northampton Saints star in the 54-7 win over Western Force, one that captured the attention of the Australian media.<\/p>\n
The state broadcaster, ABC News, said Pollock “showcased his star potential” and “produced a series of tackle-busting runs”.<\/p>\n
The headline in the Australian read: ‘Lions wonder kid, playmaker put Wallabies on notice.’<\/p>\n
Pollock, making his first Lions start, looked like a kid in the candy store.<\/p>\n
With a smile on his face, he gorged on Western Force at times. His pace and lung-busting break set up a first-half try for Tomos Williams, the power matched by a sublime offload to the Welsh scrum-half.<\/p>\n
In the second half came the audacious chip over the top, chase and gather before alertly leaving the ball when he went to ground. The move resulted in a try for Joe McCarthy.<\/p>\n
“I thought he was brilliant today,” said Lions captain Dan Sheehan.<\/p>\n
“He does his own thing. He has his own way of playing. He’s probably different to a lot of the forwards.<\/p>\n
“I enjoy that rugby – off the cuff, see what’s in front of you and make it happen. And with his skillset and speed, he can certainly make it happen.<\/p>\n
“It’s just about trying to make sure that he’s doing the right thing for the team all the time.<\/p>\n
“He’ll be continuously developing. All these big games are massive for him and massive for all of us – the experience. He’ll just get better and better from here.”<\/p>\n
Even his opponents heaped praise on Pollock.<\/p>\n
“Henry Pollock lived up to the hype. He came into his own as they kept on the intensity and he’s a hell of a ball-carrier,” proclaimed Australia international Nic White.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n