‘Smashed ’em’- Tuisova sends Bok star flying
Never go high on Fijian powerhouse Josua Tuisova. It isn’t sensible going low to tackle him either. In fact, if you have any care for your own safety, it is probably a wise move to avoid tackling him altogether.
Unfortunately for South Africa and Montpellier fly-half Handre Pollard, he had no choice on Saturday when he saw the Lyon centre running straight down his channel. It was either attempt a tackle or attempt to become a matador. He chose the first, but had the outcome of the second.
This was also a Tuisova that was hell bent on making a big impression in the first minute of the game against the Top 14 leaders. Taking the ball straight off a lineout, the Fijian had a ten metre run up before meeting the South African, and duly smashed him back about half the length of the field before he was eventually dragged down.
Take a look at the run:
Pollard is playing his final few games for Montpellier ahead of a move to Leicester Tigers in the summer, although his side are still fighting strong in the Top 14 and the Heineken Champions Cup.
Discussing his decision to join Leicester Tigers, Pollard said: “I am excited to join Leicester Tigers, to be a part of this great group of players at a special club and challenge myself, test my limits and be the very best I can be for the team.
“The club is going brilliantly at the moment and I know there is an expectation to continue that, to keep getting better because getting to the top is hard but staying there is even harder.
“There are bigger deals on the table, but I’ve made this decision to work with Steve [Borthwick] and to be a part of an unreal, great club at Leicester Tigers which has such a great history.”