James Hook - A Third World Cup Beckons?
The Welsh maverick has worked his way into the Welsh Training squad for the upcoming World Cup, is he there to make up the numbers or a genuine chance to make the final squad?
Currently James William Hook is preparing to travel to Qatar with the 47 man Welsh Squad, preparing for the World Cup this autumn. Once again the player finds himself close to the cut off to make the final 31 man squad; should this be the case, or is this talented footballer undervalued by the Welsh coaching staff?
The player has been in and out of Welsh squads over the years, and there is no doubt that when he went to France to play for Perpignan in 2011 this was frowned upon by the coaches. However, this is, and was not the only concern that they had with the player. The next few paragraphs look over his international career and why as I see it, there are doubts about him on the international scene.
The 30 year old has won 77 international caps for Wales since making his debut in 2006 against Argentina. He has played in a few positions for his country, which is no doubt due to his versatility as a result of his natural footballing ability. It is also perhaps due to an element of doubt over his ability to play at the position of 10, which Hook started his career wearing. While he believes this is his most natural position at the very top level, given his capacity to control a game, and due to his unbelievable ability it is deemed they need him on the field.
You do feel over recent times, there is less belief in Hook as an international player: he has only started 2 matches for Wales since the 2011 World Cup match against France, when he played at 10 and took some criticism over his game management. This was evidenced last summer, when he only played several minutes as a replacement against New Zealand, and did not play in any of the other matches in that autumn series.
Hook was initially moved by Gareth Jenkins then Welsh coach, from 10 to 12 jersey, even though the match prior to the move he had put in a man of the match performance at 10 for Wales against Australia, when Stephen Jones was injured. In 2007 six nations, Hook struggled at 12, until moved to 10 to play against England where he was man of the match, scoring a try, 4 penalties a drop goal and a conversion.
Over the years he has played at 10 ,12, 13 (where I thought he was outstanding) and 15. Clearly Wales wanted him on the pitch but there were and are doubts over his discipline in defence, game management and ability to play to a pattern, and in recent times, the thoughts of having him on the pitch have certainly diminished.
I think when you look over his international career you have to take into account that in his favoured position of 10, he has to do battle with players such as Stephen Jones and Rhys Priestland, who in 2011 in particular was outstanding, and most recently Dan Biggar. Also at 12 and 13 have been players such as Gavin Henson, Tom Shanklin, Jonathan Davies and Jamie Roberts to compete with and in the 15 shirt, Leig Halfpenny, Lee Byrne and most recently Liam Williams, all excellent players, so it has not been easy. All of those players physically are stronger players than Hook, and possibly mentally as well, and no doubt that in recent years Wales have liked strong minded physical rugby players in their backline, who know their roles, so this has gone against Hook, who likes to play more off the cuff and play what he sees in front of him.
In conclusion, I started off this article asking the question will Hook make a third World Cup, in my opinion I think he will miss out. I think they will take Biggar and Priestland as the two number 10’s, and take Gareth Anscombe as the third, who is also a player who can cover full back. Anscombe, came over from New Zealand last year, a move Gatland was heavily involved with, and even though the player has had a mixed first season with Cardiff Blues the effort and commitment the WRU put into bringing Anscombe over for this very tournament, in a close decision, they will side with Anscombe.
Do I feel this is correct? No I do not.
I think Hook should be in that 31 man squad. He has been consistent for Gloucester all season, and even now is arguably the most gifted/natural outside back that Wales have (alongside Matthew Morgan, another close to the cut off), and even with some of his defensive deficiencies I would take him (he has a tendency to try and tackle standing up, and to rip the ball out of the opposing players hands, which means the opponent continues to progress in his advances. Unless Hook does complete the turnover, this means a second player has to come in to put the player to ground). There is a place for power and discipline of course, but in tight matches, with tiring defences, bringing a James Hook off the bench is not a bad weapon to have. Not bad at all.
Filed under:
Rugby World Cup, Wales
Written by: Craig Muncey
Follow: @CraigMuncey · @therugbymag
