Being ignored by the Welsh rugby coaches is nothing new to me. They never listened to me as a kid when I was screaming for Tony Clement to get more Welsh international starts, and I have been, inexplicably, ignored for the Welsh tour to North America.
But I had hoped they would listen to me when I said that James Hook needs to stop being messed around, that he needs to be picked as an outside half or not at all. They, of course, didn’t listen.
No doubt in part because Sean Holley is on the tour – the man who inherited Lyn Jones’ tombola for picking peoples positions. Holley is the man responsible for picking James Hook at outside center for the last few games, and has suggested before that Hook may have a future there. Now Robin McBryde has piped up, saying to the BBC:
“As to where he’s best, I’m not sure anybody’s completely sure of that. “It’s down to the skill levels and the skill acquisition that James Hook has got. He’s had a bit of exposure at 13 with the region.
“He can play at full-back as well. He’s such a skillful player, I think to have him on the park is a huge asset.”
He’s had some exposure at centre and we’ll be considering him in that position on the tour.”
Great. So the man in charge of the Welsh tour this summer thinks that Hook is yet to find his best position. I will say this again for those who are wondering… James Hook’s best position is outside half! Not inside center, not outside center, not full back – but at 10.
He can control a game – that he hasn’t been is in part down to form, in part down to coaching and in part down to the inexplicable refusal of the Ospreys tactics to kick for touch. He has still brought forwards into the channels well, defended his own channel far better than Dan Bigger (who also tours and has been playing 10 for the Ospreys whilst Hook is at 13) and still breaks with great skill and elusiveness.
So Welsh coaches, I know you have never listened to my rugby pleas in the past, but please listen to this one. Leave James Hook at 10 – he’s going to be world class there.
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