It didn’t take long for Henry Pollock to stir the locals. The 20-year-old No.8, making his starting debut for the British & Irish Lions in Perth, delivered a performance that was as disruptive as it was dynamic, igniting post-try scuffles, creating tries, and earning the kind of column inches in Australia usually reserved for homegrown heroes.
Pollock, already a player to watch before the tour began, didn’t just match the pre-game buzz – he ran straight through it.
Whether it was linking up with Josh van der Flier to set up Tomos Williams, teeing up Elliot Daly off the back of a quick-tap counter, or sparking a melee with Western Force’s Nick Champion de Crespigny, the English back row was in the thick of everything at Optus Stadium.
The match ended 54–7 to the Lions, a statement win after the stutter in Dublin, and while Andy Farrell’s side will be sweating on the hamstring injury suffered by Williams, the fine performance from Pollock provided a dose of optimism for the tourists.
Speaking after the game, Pollock was beaming: “I love the big occasions… What a great group and, yeah, I just wanted to be here. We’re talking about punching lines and expecting the offload, expecting the man to break a tackle, and those 50/50s through the middle – we took them.
Player Carries
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Sione Tuipulotu
16
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Joe McCarthy
15
3
Mac Grealy
13
“It was a fun game and we all really enjoyed it… it’s an amazing group and environment to be part of – we’re the four best nations, the best players in the northern hemisphere.
“I’m honoured to be here… this kind of campaign and this kind of group is only together for a short amount of time and we’re trying to write history. So we’re just trying to get as close as we can together.”
The Australian reaction was swift and largely impressed. Former Wallaby Nic White — who scored the Force’s lone try — was among the first to weigh in.
“Jeez, it’s hard say straight after a game,” White told Sky Sports. “Look, Henry Pollock was certainly up to hype, as the game got a little [more open], from 50 plus, they kind of stayed at that intensity and he came into his own.
“He’s a handful ball carrier. All across the line… they’re Lions right? They’ve got class from one to fifteen.”
Who impressed Nic White the most in the Lions today? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/TV4401tBIQ
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) June 28, 2025
Editor of popular Australian sports website The Roar heaped praise on ‘baller’ Pollock. “Lions back-rower Henry Pollock also announced himself Down Under, with the brash 20-year-old involved in everything during an action packed starting debut for the famed side where he announced himself as the new villain in town,” wrote Doran.
Writing for Nine Wide World of Sports, Sam Worthington described him in a similar in a tack: “Henry Pollock announced himself to Australian audiences as rugby’s next big thing with an eye-catching performance… his confidence and athleticism will be a tantalising prospect for Farrell to potentially use him as a bench weapon in the first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane on July 19.”
ABC News wrote: “Henry Pollock showcased his star potential… at just 20 years of age is already being touted as a future superstar, produced a series of tackle-busting runs, one of which set up Williams for his first try.”
