Springbok playmaker Handre Pollard will urge his Leicester team-mates to “stay strong” when they return to action on Friday for the first time since receiving online abuse from fans. .
The South African World Cup-winning flyhalf has been on a “rollercoaster” ride over the past two weeks. He became a father for the first time and then was part of a Tigers team that blew a 19-0 lead in the final 10 minutes against Bristol and surrendered their playoff hopes.
That performance and disastrous results led a small number of home supporters to turn against the team, and the club felt it necessary to take the unprecedented step of publicly calling them out.
Leicester players receive abuse from supporters
Leicester warned: “We understand this is disappointing, but personal threats and abuse of players, coaches and staff on their own social media cannot be tolerated and will not be tolerated by the club.”
England's biggest club added that, where appropriate, “we will take formal action against season ticket holders and supporters who are identified as having sent abusive or threatening language towards individuals”.
It was a lot to take in for Pollard, who visited two days after the birth of his son Hunter, which he described as a “life-changing” event.
“In rugby you go through your fair share of ups and downs, but Hunter's birth is far beyond anything I've experienced,” he said. “This is the biggest blessing ever.
“It was a real roller coaster of emotions from that elation to the disappointment of losing against Bristol. “That loss hit us hard and we have to deal with it now. not.”
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Pollard is reluctant to draw attention to the keyboard warriors who have tarnished the club's reputation, with sources saying they have been identified and their future actions will be closely monitored.
“Sadly, that's always part of the game,” he said. “It’s not right at all that anyone should have to go through that, but you can’t control things like that.
“The way the world is right now, you have to learn to put yourself in a little bubble.
“If you go out too much or read too many books, there's always negativity out there. I try to keep it in-house as much as possible and control what I can.
“That means acting strongly as a club and team and supporting those who have been abused,” Pollard added. “Being there for each other and helping each other get through it. As a group, I think that kind of makes us stronger when we come out the other side.”
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We will come back even stronger in 2024/25
The Tigers are on the back foot, having fallen three places from the bottom of the Gallagher Premiership table just two years after being crowned champions, but self-respect is king at Sale Sharks.
Pollard said: “I can't change what happened, but I can definitely take control of my attitude and my intentions over the next two weeks and try to get into a positive state so I can hit the season on all cylinders.'' You can go into the front ignition.”
“It's important that we lay the foundations for next season in these two weeks. We're a proud club, we're a proud team and we're going to show even more fight in these two weeks, I can promise you that. .
“Finishing so close to the bottom of the table is not acceptable to us. On the surface, a lot will remain the same between now and the end of the season, but the important thing is to show the fight and pride for this club.”
Away from the rugby field, the 30-year-old says 3.6kg, 52cm tall Hunter Andre came to him and his wife Maryse on April 25 and changed him forever.
“The boys here tried to explain to me what my situation was, but it didn't work,” he said. “It’s so much better!
“I've always had a pretty open mind towards rugby. Something like an injury can open your eyes to a lot of things, but throughout my career I've had quite a few… I've been injured, so I've had a lot of time to think.
“I've been trying to enjoy the game as much as I can while I still have it. But of course, now my perspective is a little different. There's something bigger than myself waiting for me at home. It is.”
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