Ex-Springboks captain Bob Skinstad has responded to Eddie Jones after being caught in the crossfire following England\u2019s heavy defeat to Ireland in the Six Nations.<\/p>\n
Steve Borthwick\u2019s men were thrashed 42-21 by Andy Farrell\u2019s side in what was an embarrassing result and performance in front of their own fans.<\/p>\n
Inevitably, various opinions have been flying around, delving into what exactly has gone wrong for the Red Rose over the past two matches.<\/p>\n
Jones<\/a> was one of those to give his thoughts while appearing on the Rugby Unity podcast where he compared Pollock<\/a> to the former South Africa<\/a> back-rower.<\/p>\n Jones\u2019 verdict on Pollock<\/p>\n \u201cPollock to me is like, if you go back, Bobby Skinstad \u2013 good-looking, always got a suntan and he can play,\u201d Jones said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s one of those blokes who is 20 minutes, who finds himself in the right position, but he\u2019s not a \u2018grind\u2019 player.\u201d<\/p>\n It almost felt like a slight on both players, with South Africans leaping to the defence of Skinstad online, but the former Boks skipper did not see it that way.<\/p>\n \u201cAny likening to a young guy like Henry Pollock is a fantastic compliment so I will thank him for that because what an amazing player,\u201d Skinstad told the Telegraph<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s highly skilled, works really hard, incredible in the ball-carrying and speed areas. Those are his natural talents.<\/p>\n \u201cBut he also does things in other areas like great steals on the ground, good cover tackler and he\u2019s got a bit of pizzazz. I love that. It\u2019s exactly what rugby needs.\u201d<\/p>\n Skinstad ultimately does not believe that there are too many similarities between them with the 49-year-old insisting that Pollock has developed the role of a modern day back-row.<\/p>\n \u201cI did try to do things differently which is what Henry does. I think he\u2019s taken my slight expansion of the role, torn up the hymn sheet and written a whole new song, which is a much better song. He plays all the instruments in the band. Compliments to him,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he is a wonderful player. I love watching him, my kids love watching him. I think rugby is better off with him. I was a young player who tried to do things differently so that\u2019s probably where the analogy can stop.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you are doing stuff that makes people write about you then you are an asset in the game and that\u2019s what he is.\u201d<\/p>\n Eddie Jones: Henry Pollock not a \u2018grind\u2019 player as he likens England star to Springboks legend<\/a><\/p>\n Skinstad\u2019s dig at Jones<\/p>\n As for Jones, Skinstad praised the Australian\u2019s knowledge and understanding of the game but couldn\u2019t resist a dig at the former England boss over his \u2018grind\u2019 reference.<\/p>\n \u201cEddie has got a very good and broad view of rugby. I think Henry Pollock has got full 80-minute grind in him because he has so much pace and so much ability to affect the game,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n