11/08/2026 11:54:00
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11/08 11:53 CST Pollock stars with 2 tries as a makeshift winger in England's
record rugby win over Australia
Pollock stars with 2 tries as a makeshift winger in England's record rugby win
over Australia
LONDON (AP) --- Henry Pollock enhanced his growing reputation in rugby by
coming on at halftime and scoring two tries in as many minutes as a makeshift
winger to lead England to a record 45-22 win over Australia in the Nations
Championship on Sunday.
The most talked-about player in the English game grabbed the headlines again
with a second-half performance that highlighted both his versatility and
explosiveness, while also wrapping up a significant victory for England coach
Steve Borthwick following pre-match reports of player unrest and rifts in the
squad.
"I loved it --- I love the challenge, I love being nervous at halftime and
being like this in a new position for me," said the 21-year-old Pollock, a
back-row forward with a distinguishable shock of blond hair who entered as a
replacement for the injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and delivered classic winger's
finishes in the 55th and 57th minutes to move to eight tries in just 14 tests.
"I really enjoyed it and thought that out there it was even more fun. Hopefully
again."
England, which sealed a third win in four games of the inaugural global
tournament, had seven tries in total at Twickenham on the way to scoring more
points than ever before against Australia. The first was scored by hooker Jamie
George, who became the most prolific try-scoring England forward in test
history with 18.
Ollie Chessum and Joe Heyes, two more members of England's pack, also went over
in the first half before winger Max Jorgensen's interception try from inside
his own half gave Australia hope at halftime at 19-10.
After England scrumhalf Jack van Poortvliet --- to blame for Jorgensen's score
because of an errant pass --- made amends with his own try, it turned into the
Pollock show.
Pollock thrills Twickenham
The youngster replaced Feyi-Waboso, who was hurt from Angus Bell's hip-drop
tackle that earned the prop 10 minutes in the sin-bin, and made an instant
impact with a left-wing surge that set up Van Poortvliet's try.
He then crossed himself in the 55th after collecting a mispass to the right
wing and cutting through Australia's defensive line to score.
Pollock streaked down the right flank to go over again in the 57th and was soon
thrilling the Twickenham crowd by kicking the ball through an opponent's legs
as he made another break down the wing.
Pollock said he has played "a little bit" on the wing for his club team
Northampton, but described a half against Australia in test rugby as "obviously
a massive step-up."
"They wouldn't put me there, the coaches, if they didn't think I could do
anything there," Pollock said. "The biggest thing is going out there and being
as confident as I can. If I mess up, it's a new position and I've got to take
learnings from it."
Ben Spencer wrapped up England's try haul in the 76th, after Filipo Daugunu and
Jeremy Williams added their own for the Australians.
England, which jumped to second place in the Northern Hemisphere standings, has
more tests against Japan and New Zealand at Twickenham over the next two
weekends, before the playoff finals at the same stadium from Nov. 27-29.
Borthwick's team beat Argentina and Fiji in July, while also losing to South
Africa.
Australia plays Scotland and Wales next, and is third in the Southern
Hemisphere standings behind the Springboks and the All Blacks.
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See AP's full rugby coverage here
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