'Broke traditions and values' - Henry Pollock slammed for Lions' behaviour

While Pollock’s youthful energy and fearless approach have been praised by fans and pundits alike, White wasn’t entirely impressed — pointing to certain behaviours that, in his view, clashed with the values of the historic touring side.

Join RUCK's Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.

Writing in his 

RugbyPass column, the former Springboks boss singled out a rather odd gripe: Pollock’s backwards baseball cap.

“One of the curveballs could have been the effervescent Henry Pollock but I think Andy Farrell handled him really well,” White said. “I looked at him in the first Test and he was wearing a baseball cap the wrong way round.”

“I look at the history, traditions and values of the Lions and it doesn't warrant you doing that.”

White admitted his take might be seen as old school, but stood firm on his stance.

“That's me talking but to be fair, he got game time, got a feel of what it's like to be a Lion and while at times, he showed how young he was with the behaviours he exhibited there's no doubting he has talent,” he added.

“I think he will emerge stronger for the experience and will be around the Test game for a long time.”

Pollock, who made his mark with a series of standout performances during the tour, clearly turned heads — both for his rugby and his personality. But with strong opinions like White’s surfacing, it’s clear not everyone is sold on the new generation’s approach to Lions tradition.

With a career filled with unforgettable moments, both for club and country, the former All Black fly-half boasts an impressive list of accolades, including three World Rugby Player of the Year awards.

Here are the three stadiums that stood out most to Carter during his illustrious playing days:

Twickenham, the iconic home of English rugby, holds a special place in Carter’s heart. His standout memory? The 2015 Rugby World Cup final, when New Zealand triumphed over Australia. Carter's 40-metre drop goal during the match became a pivotal moment, helping stem a Wallabies comeback.

“All such special memories but hard to go past the RWC final drop goal,” Carter tweeted in response to a Rugby World Cup post asking fans for their favourite memory of him. “Twickenham, the home of rugby, was certainly bouncing that night,” he added.

Carter described Eden Park, New Zealand’s largest stadium, as a place that "comes alive" under the lights. Located near Auckland’s bustling central district and overlooked by Mount Eden, the 50,000-capacity venue is steeped in history.

“Under lights, especially, the place comes alive,” said Carter, who enjoyed many memorable moments at Eden Park throughout his All Blacks career.

Topping Carter's list is Cardiff's Principality Stadium, formerly known as the Millennium Stadium. Situated in the heart of the Welsh capital, this 74,500-capacity arena is renowned for its electric atmosphere, especially when the retractable roof is closed.

“I’m often asked which is my favourite stadium to play in, and I always say the Millennium,” Carter said. “It’s an amazing place with an awesome atmosphere. The people of Cardiff and Wales are like the Kiwis back home. They are so passionate about their rugby.”

For Carter, the retractable roof also provided a tactical advantage. “As a kicker, it’s quite handy having a roof on it. That takes away the wind and rain, which you can have a bit of in Cardiff. That’s an added bonus,” he remarked.

Carter's fond memories of these three iconic stadiums underline his enduring connection to some of rugby’s most legendary venues.

These "one-cap wonders" might have been on the brink of a promising international career, unlucky with competition in their position, or simply never got another chance after their debut.

Test your knowledge and see if you can remember these players who had their brief moment in the England jersey!