Rugby: Pollard in spotlight as Boks hunt for answers to All Blacks' terrific 10s

Springbok Handre Pollard will play at first five. Photo / Getty Images

Another All Blacks opponent, another team getting to grips with the crucial No 10 position.

Following hard on the heels of Australia's conundrum about whether to play Kurtley Beale or Bernard Foley at first-five, South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer has gambled on playing 20-year-old Handre Pollard there for what will be his fourth test.

A player with a more attacking mindset than Morne Steyn, who has been left out of the squad altogether, Pollard will be expected to bring an unconventional dimension to a Boks team which has looked predictable, if not slightly pedestrian, so far in this year's Rugby Championship.

If the expected rain does fall in Wellington tonight, however, Steyn might feel justified in thinking the conditions would suit his more conservative disposition.

The All Blacks, meanwhile, have predictably turned back to Aaron Cruden after his pectoral problem. For all the competition between Dan Carter, Cruden and Beauden Barrett, a depth every other rugby nation must crave, there is a clear direction and plan which make the Wallabies and Boks look they are making decisions on the run.

After his public musings on the Beale selection before the Sydney Bledisloe Cup draw, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen this week refused to add to the pressure on Pollard's young shoulders.

He has too much respect for the Boks and coach Meyer to do that, but in mentioning Carter in the same breath he may have unintentionally done so anyway.

Asked about Pollard's inexperience, he said: "I remember when Dan Carter didn't have any test caps and I was coaching Wales. He smashed us. So how many test caps you've got ... I guess it is relevant when it comes to experience, but if you've got the ability to play the game, that sort of eases that away."

Earlier, Hansen said: "Pollard is a pretty handy footballer. He had a great Under-20 tournament and he [Meyer] has obviously got a lot of faith in him. You can see why, when the kid plays, he's a pretty good player.

"He plays differently to Morne. Morne plays deeper, Pollard plays flatter and wants to attack the line. I would imagine that Crudes will get a few people running at him during the course of the day so he's just going to have to stand up and make his tackles."

A standout for South Africa in this year's Junior World Championships in New Zealand, Pollard, who made his test debut against Scotland before starting in the two narrow victories over Argentina and then making way for Steyn in Perth, is the Boks' latest attacking hope after mixed results from Johan Goosen and Pat Lambie.

"I don't think you're going to beat the All Blacks, especially away from home, if you just do the conventional," Meyer said this week.

"Before the World Cup I have to expose him. He could be a big force. He's big and strong, a brilliant defender with a good kicking game and he's an unbelievable attacking player. I believe if you don't do it now, you're never going to know."

Captain and midfielder Jean de Villiers, who will play his 100th test tonight, said: "That's probably been one of the worries in this team. The forwards are settled but we're struggling to get continuity in the backs. We're building a nice second tier of youngsters, which is going to come through."

First-five focus
Cruden: Tests 2; minutes 138; points 31; carries 10; average gain 6.7m; passes 40; offloads 2; try assists 1; tackles 15; missed 2.
Pollard: Tests 2; minutes 100; points 16; carries 4; average gain 1.25m; passes 7; offloads 0; try assists 0; tackles 12; missed 1.