{"id":300647,"date":"2011-03-11T08:19:59","date_gmt":"2011-03-11T08:19:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/03\/11\/hook-urged-to-take-his-chance\/"},"modified":"2011-03-11T08:19:59","modified_gmt":"2011-03-11T08:19:59","slug":"hook-urged-to-take-his-chance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/11\/hook-urged-to-take-his-chance\/","title":{"rendered":"Hook urged to take his chance"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Six Nations: WALES v IRELAND<\/b>
Venue: <\/b>Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Date: <\/b>Sat, 12 March Kick-off:<\/b> 1700 GMT
Coverage:<\/b> Watch live on BBC One Wales, BBC One HD and online from 1635-1900; Listen on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Radio 5 Live; Text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles<\/span><\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\"Warren<\/p>\n

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Gatland’s World Cup challenge to Hook<\/p>\n

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Wales boss Warren Gatland says James Hook has a great chance to cement his place at fly-half when they face Ireland in the Six Nations on Saturday.<\/b><\/p>\n

Hook is back at 10 for the second time in the tournament as debate continues over whether he or Stephen Jones should don the jersey. <\/p>\n

Hook took over at fly-half in the 24-6 win over Scotland and Gatland says the 2011 World Cup role is up for grabs. <\/p>\n

Gatland said: “He Hook gets a great chance on Saturday against Ireland.” <\/p>\n

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If he comes off the bench on Saturday, Scarlets veteran Jones, 33, will make a 99th Wales appearance in the knowledge that Hook has largely been his understudy since they shared the duties during the 2008 Grand Slam success. <\/p>\n

In the meantime Hook, 25, has seen Dan Biggar, 21, preferred at 10 at the Ospreys and for Wales before this tournament – until Gatland returned the fly-half duties to Hook in the wake of their side’s opening 26-29 Six Nations defeat by England.<\/p>\n

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\t\t\tIn 2008 we had the same sort of debates and we won the Grand Slam<\/b>
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Hook promptly created Wales’ opening try for Shane Williams as they bounced back against Scotland, but was forced into the centre to win his 50th cap in their 24-16 win over Italy due to Jonathan Davies’ hamstring strain. <\/p>\n

Osprey Hook, who joins Perpignan for the start of the 2011-12 season – says the on-going debate over the Wales fly-half spot is “ridiculous”, adding: “But I think you just get on with it. <\/p>\n

“In 2008 we had the same sort of debates and we won the Grand Slam so if it gives you that success, we don’t mind so much.” <\/p>\n

Gatland hopes the faith he has shown in a player without much game-time at fly-half in recent times will pay off. <\/p>\n

“We haven’t discounted him as an option as a 10 for us at any stage or even looking further down the line for the World Cup,” said Gatland. <\/p>\n

“Sometimes we’ve been hampered with injuries at full-back and sometimes in midfield and we’ve wanted to find a spot for him and sometimes get our best players on the field. <\/p>\n

“And I think one of the things with James, he’s 26 now and he’s just developing. He’s a lot more mature in his decision-making and his calmness on the field.<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\"Warren<\/p>\n

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Please turn on JavaScript.<\/strong> Media requires JavaScript to play. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Gatland’s World Cup challenge to Hook<\/p>\n

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“And I think there’s a chance for him to perhaps excel at 10. <\/p>\n

“I think two or three years ago we sometimes felt that yes, there was a talent, but perhaps the criticism was the control of the game – there was a criticism over him at times. <\/p>\n

“And now that he’s experienced a little bit in the midfield, it could be the right time for him to move into 10. <\/p>\n

“We’ve been a little bit hampered because he hasn’t started a lot at regional level at 10 – he hasn’t started there at all this season. <\/p>\n

“He’s come on in the last 20 minutes or moved there in a few games and has done well. <\/p>\n

“So it’s not the easiest position in the world to be thrown in at at international level at number 10 when you haven’t been playing there regularly… he did a pretty good job in Scotland, creating that first try. <\/p>\n

“There were a few aspects of his game defensively that he needs to work on, again a bit of control in the game. <\/p>\n

“But he gets a great chance on Saturday against Ireland and just hopefully he goes well.”\n<\/p>\n

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Continue reading here:
\nHook urged to take his chance<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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