James Hook – Still a 10?

Dan Biggar has become the first choice 10 at the Ospreys – and for good reason.  He rarely puts a foot wrong, is reliable with his kicking and most importantly can run a game… something Hook hasn’t convinced us of since he came off the bench vs Australia a few years back.

But he still sees himself as 10 – and is thinking about leaving the Ospreys to achieve that.

I know this sounds like some typical Western Mail desperate effort to create a story from nothing (and is also where I came across these quotes) but take a look what he has to say and decide for yourself.

“Dan has played well at No 10 and they are going to stick with him,” predicted the 25-year-old.

“It’s going to be the same as last year for me really. It went quite well … at No 12 for the Ospreys and 13 for Wales.

“From the Ospreys’ point of view, they aren’t going to put me at 10.”

“I have thought about my future but at the moment I just want to concentrate of getting fit and back to playing,” he said. “But, in the next couple of months, I’ll make a decision.”

“I won’t rush it if it isn’t right. I have got full movement, but it’s a bit stiff sometimes. I ripped the tendon and had it tightened up.

“I knew it would be four months before I could play again. Firstly, my objective is to get fit and on the pitch.

“I could return at the Scarlets on October 2. That would be a bit ironic because I suffered the injury against them last Christmas at Parc y Scarlets.”

Warren Gatland has apparently suggest Hook could have a future as an International 10 as the new rule interpretations has seen the game open up, potentially giving more room for a talented footballer and runner such as Hook to put his stamp on the game.  To this suggestion Hook had this to say

“I heard about it the other day. Maybe, with the new directives from the IRB (International Rugby Board), it has given me a chance,”

“It’s opened the game up for the attacking team, giving them a chance to play,”

“People like Quade Cooper has thrived playing for Australia in the Tri-Nations on the opportunities the directives have given him.”

Fascinating

For me all this is fascinating.  As an Osprey fan I am worried about him leaving us – especially as we have to be resigned to Henson never coming back (even if he plays again he seems to want away and his contract is up in 6 months anyway).  We need the creativity, the attacking threat.  There is no one with his running skills, his ability to create something from nothing, anywhere in Wales.

It is also interesting to see that he is still interested in playing outside half.  He doesn’t come out directly and say it, but it is certainly the impression he gives.  Until now the only quotes being used were a year old and I am sure I am not alone in wondering what his thoughts on positioning are.  It should be noted though he also says (not shown above) that ‘playing for the Ospreys is the main thing’ when asked about his position.

Could he be a 10 in the ‘new rugby’?  I’m not convinced.  He seems to lack the dominating personality, the loud mouth, the simple bossiness to demand his players do what he wants.  Biggar has it in spades and for most people it is not something they learn.  But if Hook can then he will certainly have the other skills to make the move back to 10.

But why bother?  He is quickly becoming a world class centre in my opinion.