Rugby Australia has won the battle for another of its rising stars, with Australian Schools and U18s hooker Billy Pollard spurning interest from several NRL clubs to sign a long-term deal with the Brumbies.
Pollard will join the Brumbies Academy Development program for 2020 and take part in pre-season training with the Super Rugby squad after signing a four-year contract with the club.
The teen tyro was a standout for the Australian Schools and U18s in their win over New Zealand last month and was controversially denied a try on halftime after racing the length of the field in a show of the pace and skill that attracted the Brumbies.
His signing gives the Brumbies great depth at the hooker role, with Junior Wallabies rake Lachlan Lonergan also with the club and pushing for a Super Rugby start alongside stars Folau Faingaa and Connal McInerney after a strong NRC season.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said the club was thrilled to have secured Pollard to a long-term deal.
“We are extremely happy to have signed Billy, who we believe is a player with enormous potential,” McKellar said.
“Like any 18-year-old hooker, Billy is just getting started, but he has the necessary attributes to succeed at Super Rugby level and is very much in the mould of the modern-day hooker.
🙌🖊Highly-rated Australian U18 hooker Billy Pollard joins the Brumbies family and @RugbyAU pic.twitter.com/YTVYhZn0cu
— Plus500 Brumbies (@BrumbiesRugby) November 12, 2019
“In attack he is dynamic, wants the ball in his hands and has tremendous speed and acceleration for a front-rower.
"Defensively he is abrasive and aggressive, loves to compete and enjoys the physical side of the game. These are great natural traits that Billy has.
"We are excited to work closely with Billy over the next few years to ensure he reaches his full potential and goes on to have a long career with our club."
Pollard said he chose the Brumbies over NRL chasers given the club's history of improving young players.
“I am looking forward to working with Dan and Laurie (Fisher) and learning off some of the best front-row forwards in the country," Pollard said.
"The Brumbies set-piece is one of the best around and I can’t wait to get started.”
