The Uni-Norths Owls coach could tell it was only a matter of time before everyone else saw it too. There's a reason this emerging hooker blessed with pace and power was being courted by NRL clubs.

Pollard was supposed to struggle for game time in the Brumbies' ranks this year. He was stuck behind three Test-capped hookers in Folau Fainga'a, Connal McInerney and Lachlan Lonergan.

But the rising star forced his way into the Super Rugby fold, earning five caps with a start among them as he stakes his claim as a player to watch on the Australian scene.

Now one of the ACT Brumbies' most exciting prospects will return to the John I Dent Cup with the Uni-Norths Owls in their clash with Wests at ANU North Oval on Sunday.

MORE RUGBY UNION

"He's definitely always had it in him, it was just finding his technique and his craft," Rolfe said.

"As hooker, you come on and trying to throw that lineout, there's a lot of pressure. That's just come with time and age. He definitely had the skills, speed and power to be a great rugby player.

"He's been training for a couple of years now in that Brumbies squad and I know he has been working pretty hard at it. He got a crack last year off the bench and probably didn't take his opportunity like he would have wanted it to, but it's just been great to see.

"He obviously put another good off-season in, getting a few starting roles and actually hitting his mark with the lineout and making a big impact on the field as well."

Pollard is one of two Brumbies filtering into the Owls' ranks for their first match of the season after having the bye in round one, with Charlie Cale poised to make his club debut.

It is a major boost for the Owls after they lost the John I Dent Cup's reigning MacDougall Medal winner Will Sankey to the Western Force on an injury cover contract.

"We've been training since January 20 so it's nearly three months of training and after finishing the season early last year we've been very keen to get out there and have a crack at it," Rolfe said.

"Obviously we had great momentum coming into those final couple of rounds, you want to keep a little bit of the flavour but it's a new group and we've got to start again.

"We stated at the start of the week that what we're trying to get out of [Saturday] is to do the simple things right and it'll come to us by the end of the game, just not overplaying our hand."

JOHN I DENT CUP ROUND TWO

Saturday: Canberra Royals v Tuggeranong Vikings at Phillip Oval; Uni-Norths Owls v Wests Lions at ANU North Oval; Penrith Emus v Queanbeyan Whites at Nepean Rugby Park. All women's games at 1.40pm, all men's games at 3.05pm.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: