Assessing James Hook ahead of RWC 2015

Back in 2006 whilst on my pre university jaunt, known more commonly as the ‘gap ya’, I stopped by in Melbourne to take in the Commonwealth Games. My foremost memory of the event, other than the devastated reaction of local fans as an Aussie boxing man was KO’d 3 seconds before the end of a bout he had in the bag, was Wales winning some form of kitchenware (bowl or plate) in the Rugby sevens.

With Google seemingly unable to assist, I’m going to have to back my memory and say that the winning try scorer in the final was a young James Hook. What I can say with certainty was that Hook, Wales’ playmaker, was the stand out player. The time Hook had on the ball and his ability to beat a defender convinced me that I was watching a guy who would not only go on to represent Wales in the XV man format but would be world class in doing so.

Fast forward some nine years and Hook was removed from the Millenium Stadium pitch midway through the second half of Wales’ World Cup warm up match versus Ireland. This was the British Lion’s 78^th cap in an international career, which has seen the highs of grand slam victories and lows in the form of infamous world cup knockouts against Fiji in 2007 and 4 years later in that agonising semi against France. Despite the 78 caps, the international career of the former 7s star has not played out like I thought it was destined to back in 2006. On occasions he has produced world class performances andregularly makes the difficult look leisurely. However, during Warren Gatland’s seven year reign, Hook has failed to consistently demonstrate the qualities that the Waikato man seeks in his first five eight. The last four years have been an uphill battle as he seeks to erase the black mark that stands against his name as a result of a below par performance that night in Eden Park.  

After some promising performances in the cherry& white of Gloucester, the warm up fixture against Ireland had been billed as an opportunity to re convince Warren Gatland of his viability as an international number ten.  However, his removal paved the way for squad rival Gareth Anscombe, he of a WRU dual contract, to show some neat touches including a cut out pass, which put Alex Cuthbert in for a late consolation score.

It was an afternoon that didn’t pan out the way Hook or his many admirers within the principality would have wanted. The Gloucester player’s ventures to the gain line too often found the Welsh pivot at the bottom of the ruck. Meanwhile his Garryowens were unleashed with hefty force, which left chasers unable to compete for the ball in the air, a tactic that has become as synonymous with Gatland rugby as the need for that extra ruck in the five metre channel. 

Hook’s below par performance cannot be viewed in isolation. Wales struggled yesterday, as individuals and as a team. Despite some early shows of resistance, the Welsh scrum seemed stuck in reverse against a more experienced Irish pack, and ruck recycling was consistently inconsistent. A combination of the above, a number of new combinations and what the layman might class as preseason rustiness would have rendered it difficult for any stand off to stand out.

One would imagine that Hook will remain part of the squad for Wales’ two remaining pre-tournament test matches. However, the amount of game time he is afforded to assert himself will be dependent upon the strategy of the Welsh management towards the outcome of these games, and the RWC squad selection process. It will be interesting whether Hook, so often the Jack of all trades is considered either at centre or full back, positions in which he has proved he is more than competent in a test match environment. Notably he was awarded Welsh player of the year in 2010 when he had a run in the 13jersey. Given that Wales are thin on established internationals to call on at both 13 and 15 it would seem a waste of resource to ignore such a versatile skill set. 

Opinion time…

Should Wales include James Hook in their World Cup squad? Yes. I am now at the stage where my judgement is not clouded by the talent that I saw in Melbourne some nine years ago and accept that Hook is fallible in his favoured ten jersey. However, I still think he can offer something to the squad as experienced cover for 13 and 15. I just don’t see the competition as stiff enough to overlook the talent and international experience that Hook brings to the party.   

Will Wales select James Hook? No. The fact that Anscombe is the holder of a central contract and was preferred to Hook in this year’s six nations squad serves as evidence that the former Baby Black is probably the favoured option.

Does it really matter? Probably not. Whoever wins the battle between Anscombe and Hook will play second fiddle to the second fiddle, third fiddle? In which case, potential for game time and the opportunity to make an impact, for which every player ultimately strives, will be limited.  That said who would have thought Stephen Donald would have knocked over the goal that won the All Blacks the cup last time round.