James Hook (rugby union)

Last updated

James Hook
Rugby World Cup 2007 James Hook.jpg
Birth nameJames William Hook
Date of birth (1985-06-27) 27 June 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth Port Talbot, Wales
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight15 st 2 lb; 212 lb (96 kg)
SchoolCentral Junior School
Glan Afan Comprehensive School, Port Talbot
Neath College
Notable relative(s) Mike Hook (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half
Centre
Fullback
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2004–06
2011–14
2014–17
Neath RFC
Perpignan
Gloucester
16
68
78
(204)
(801)
(294)
Correct as of 3 September 2017
Provincial / State sides
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2006–11, 2017–20 Ospreys 149 (841)
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2006–2015
2009
Wales
British & Irish Lions
81
0
(352)
Correct as of 17 October 2015
National sevens team
YearsTeamComps
2005–06 Wales

James William Hook (born 27 June 1985) is a retired Welsh rugby union player. Hook has won 81 caps for Wales (currently 13th all-time) and is Wales' fifth highest all-time points scorer. Most often playing as a fly-half, Hook is known as a utility player, and has also played as a centre, wing and fullback.

Contents

Hook began his club career with Neath, from 2004 to 2006. He then played for the Ospreys (2006–2011), Perpignan (2011–2014) and Gloucester (2014–2016), before returning to the Ospreys in 2016.

Hook toured South Africa in 2009 with the British & Irish Lions, making six appearances. He was named on the bench for the third test, but did not play in the game.

Early and personal life

Hook was born in the South Wales industrial town of Port Talbot, the second of three children. His brother Mike Hook was also a professional rugby player, and sister Naidine a keen netball player. He attended Glan Afan Comprehensive School in the centre of Port Talbot, and Neath College where he started a half back combination with Martin Roberts.

Hook's childhood heroes were Neil Jenkins and Robert Jones – Jenkins because of his kicking ability, and Jones because he played in Hook's favourite position, which was scrum-half, the position he himself played for West Wales at the age of ten. [1]

In June 2011, Hook married long-term partner Kimberley. In 2004 Kimberley was in the U17 Welsh Netball Squad. The couple have a son, born on 23 December 2009. In 2014, Hook announced that Kimberley was pregnant with their second child.[ citation needed ]

Career

Hook in action for the Ospreys James Hook.JPG
Hook in action for the Ospreys

Club

Hook grew up playing schoolboy rugby with the junior and youth set-ups at various Port Talbot-based clubs including Aberavon Quins RFC, Taibach RFC and Corus (Port Talbot) RFC.

At senior level and before making the step up to regional rugby with the Ospreys, Hook enjoyed great success for Neath RFC, becoming the record holder for the highest individual points tally within a season. He also played for Neath College as a youngster.

Hook played his way into the Ospreys first XV in the 2006–07 Magners League season, giving outstanding performances at both fly-half and inside centre. He kicked a conversion in a Pool 3 match against the Sale Sharks during the 2006-07 Heineken Cup, clinching the Ospreys win following a try from Shane Williams.

In November 2010 it was announced that Hook would not be signing a new contract with the Ospreys. [2] On 26 January 2011 James announced that he would be joining French Top 14 side USA Perpignan on a 3-year deal for the 2011–12 season despite warnings from Wales' national coach Warren Gatland that he may not consider players based outside Wales in his future squads. [3] [4]

On 2 June 2014, Hook was granted early release from USA Perpignan, following their relegation from the Top 14, to join Gloucester Rugby in the English Aviva Premiership on a three-year contract. [5]

On 30 November 2016, Hook rejoined home region Ospreys in Wales on a three-year deal ahead of the 2017–18 season. [6]

International

After excelling at under-21 level for Wales, Hook starred for the Welsh sevens team, scoring a match-winning try to defeat South Africa Sevens in the plate final of the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Hook made his international debut against Argentina under new Welsh coach Gareth Jenkins, scoring a late try in the match. [7]

Hook made his home debut for Wales against Australia on 4 November 2006 as a substitute for the injured Stephen Jones. He showed great composure in scoring 13 points as Wales drew the match 29–29 and was named as Wales' Man of the Match. Hook played against the Pacific Islands, scoring a try, and against Canada where he scored 16 points.

During the 2007 Six Nations Championship, Hook played in all of Wales's games, but was hampered by being employed at inside centre, rather than in his preferred position of fly-half for the first four matches. As a result, he struggled to make an impact. In the final game against England, however, he was finally switched to fly-half and produced a Man of the Match-winning performance, scoring 22 points in Wales' 27–18 win. He also completed his first "full house" in this match (scoring a drop goal, penalty, try and conversion). The victory was Wales' first over a 'Tier One' rugby nation since the 2006 Six Nations Championship victory over Scotland.

Hook put in a man-of-the-match performance as he helped Wales beat England 26–19 in the first game of the 2008 Six Nations Championship on 2 February 2008.

On 10 February 2008, Hook was selected at fly-half for the 30–15 win over Scotland in the 2008 Six Nations Championship. Hook scored a try and kicked two conversions and a penalty, before being replaced by Stephen Jones in the 58th minute. He was a member of the Wales side that completed the Grand Slam with victory against France. [8]

In May 2009, Hook was included in the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa. He was called into the squad as a utility back to cover his Wales teammate, Leigh Halfpenny, who was forced to withdraw from the beginning of the tour with a thigh injury. He made his British & Irish Lions debut on 3 June, playing against the Lions Super Rugby team. Hook came off the bench in that game to score one try and kick 3 conversions. He did not however play in a test match on the tour.

In 2010, Hook was selected to the Wales 2010 Six Nations Championship team, playing for the first time at outside centre.

In January 2011 Hook confirmed he would join French side Perpignan on a three-year contract from the start of the 2011–12 season. His contract guaranteed availability for all of Wales's 2011 Rugby World Cup preparatory games. However, there is no clause covering future release outside of the normal International Rugby Board window. [9]

International tries

TryOpponentLocationVenueCompetitionDateResult
1Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina Puerto Madryn, Argentina Estadio Raúl Conti 2006 Summer Tests 11 June 2006Loss
2 Pacific Islanders Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2006 Autumn Internationals 11 November 2006Win
3Flag of England.svg  England Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2007 Six Nations 17 March 2007Win
4Flag of France.svg  France Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2007 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches 26 August 2007Loss
5Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2007 Rugby World Cup 20 September 2007Win
6Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2008 Six Nations 9 February 2008Win
7Flag of England.svg  England London, England Twickenham 2010 Six Nations 6 February 2010Loss
8Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2010 Six Nations 20 March 2010Win
9
10Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2010 Summer Tests 5 June 2010Loss
11Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2010 Autumn Internationals 13 November 2010Loss
12Flag of England.svg  England Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2011 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches 13 August 2011Win
13 Barbarian F.C. Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2012 Summer Internationals 2 June 2012Win

Post rugby career

On 13 January 2020, Hook announced his retirement from the game, to take place at the end of the 2019–20 season upon expiration of his contract with the Ospreys. He mentioned wanting to remain involved in rugby by coaching, with focus on skills, but also with his first children-stories book in the release process. [10]

On 11 August 2020, Hook stays with his team Ospreys as their new Kicking and Skills coach. [11]

In 2021, Hook took part in S4C's Welsh language learning programme Iaith ar Daith , being paired with referee Nigel Owens as his mentor. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardiff Rugby</span> Professional Welsh regional rugby union team

Cardiff Rugby are one of the four professional Welsh rugby union teams. Based in Cardiff, the team play at Cardiff Arms Park. Originally formed in 1876, from 2003 to 2021 the first team was known as the Cardiff Blues before rebranding back to Cardiff Rugby prior to the start of the 2021–22 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gavin Henson</span> Welsh international rugby union player

Gavin Lloyd Henson is a Welsh former professional rugby union player, who played as a fly-half, fullback and inside centre.

Jonathan Davies, OBE is a Welsh former rugby footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s, and who represented his nation in both rugby union and rugby league. A goal-kicking backline player, he played his club rugby in Wales, England and Australia. Davies has since become a television commentator for both codes and a media personality, in both the Welsh and English languages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shane Williams</span> Wales and British Lions international rugby union player

Shane Mark Williams, is a Welsh former rugby union player most famous for his long and successful tenure as a wing for the Ospreys and the Wales national team. He also played scrum-half on occasion. Williams is the record try scorer for Wales, and is fourth on the international list of leading rugby union test try scorers behind Daisuke Ohata, Bryan Habana and David Campese.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aled Brew</span> Welsh rugby union player

Aled Brew is a former Wales international rugby union player who played as a winger. He made his debut for the Wales national rugby union team against Ireland in the 2007 Six Nations Championship. In his career, as well as playing for Biarritz Olympique and Bath Rugby, he is one of only a handful of players to have played for all four top-level regional teams in Wales.

Lyn Jones is a former Wales international rugby union player. Originally playing as a flanker, Jones subsequently became a coach. He played most of his playing career for Neath RFC and started his coaching career at the same club. Jones has coached professional clubs in Wales and England and, in 2018, became head coach of the Russian national rugby union team. He subsequently became a coach with national rugby team of the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Hibbard</span> Wales international rugby union & league footballer

Richard Hibbard is a retired Wales international rugby union player who last played for the Dragons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamie Roberts</span> British Lions & Wales international rugby union footballer

Jamie Huw Roberts is a Welsh former professional rugby union player, who played as a centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhys Priestland</span> Welsh rugby union player

Rhys Priestland is a Welsh international rugby union player who plays as a fly-half for Cardiff Rugby and the Wales national team. Although he primarily plays as a fly-half, he is also capable of playing at full-back. Born in Llangathen, Carmarthenshire, he began his career with Llanelli RFC before progressing to the Scarlets regional side. After eight years with the Scarlets, he moved to England to play for Bath in the English Premiership, where he spent six seasons before returning to Wales with Cardiff Rugby. He made his Wales debut in 2011, and earned 50 caps – including being named in the squad for the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups – before his move to England made him ineligible for selection.

David Flanagan is a rugby union coach and former player who is the head coach for Dragons RFC. As a player, he played as a fly-half for Pontypridd RFC, the Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys.

Martin Roberts is a Wales international rugby union footballer who plays as a scrum-half.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leigh Halfpenny</span> Wales and British Lions international rugby union player

Stephen Leigh Halfpenny is a Welsh rugby union player who plays as a fullback or wing for Harlequins in the English Premiership. Halfpenny is the third highest points scorer for Wales after Neil Jenkins and Stephen Jones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Biggar</span> Wales and British Lions international rugby union player

Daniel Biggar is a Welsh professional rugby union player currently playing for French Top 14 side Toulon as a fly-half. A Wales international, Biggar has also twice been selected to tour with the British and Irish Lions.

Tavis Knoyle is a Wales international rugby union footballer who plays at scrum-half.

Hanno Dirksen is a South African rugby union player currently playing for NOLA Gold of Major League Rugby (MLR).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Hawkins</span> Welsh rugby union footballer

Joe Hawkins is a Welsh international rugby union player who currently plays his club rugby at centre for Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership. Hawkins began his professional career with the Ospreys in the URC, before signing for Exeter in 2023. He represents Wales at international level, having made his test debut against Australia during the 2022 Autumn Internationals. He has 5 caps.

Dewi Lake is a Welsh rugby union player currently playing for United Rugby Championship side Ospreys and the Wales national side as a hooker. Lake made his international debut against Ireland in the 2022 Six Nations Championship.

Gareth Bowen is a Welsh former rugby union footballer who played as a fly-half. Born in Aberdare, he played for Bridgend, Bedford, Bristol, Llanelli, Scarlets, Neath, Aurillac, Ebbw Vale and Newport.

Kerin Lake is a Welsh rugby union player who plays centre for Gloucester-Hartpury Women of the Premier 15s and the Wales women's national rugby union team. She made her debut for Wales in 2011 and has played for the national team 29 times, scoring four tries. Lake gives administrator support to Tonna Hospital's mental health staff while continuing her rugby career.

James Christopher Fender is a Welsh professional rugby union player, who plays as a lock for United Rugby Championship club the Ospreys.

References

  1. Kimmage, Paul (15 April 2007). "'It seems crazy. This time last year I was playing semi-professional rugby'". London: Times Online. Retrieved 5 February 2008.[ dead link ]
  2. "James Hook to leave the Ospreys at season's end". BBC Sport. 2 November 2010. Retrieved 2 November 2010.
  3. "James Hook to leave Ospreys and join Perpignan handing Wales a problem". the Guardian.
  4. "Hook confirms Perpignan contract". BBC News. 26 January 2011.
  5. "Wales international back James Hook leaves USA Perpignan for Gloucester Rugby". Gloucester Rugby. 2 June 2014. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  6. "James Hook returning to Ospreys on three-year deal". Sky Sports. 30 November 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  7. "Argentina 27-25 Wales". BBC. 11 June 2006. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  8. "Wales 29-12 France". BBC. 15 March 2008. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  9. "BBC Sport – Rugby Union – James Hook confirms Perpignan contract". bbc.co.uk.
  10. "James Hook to retire and consider becoming full-time children's author". theguardian.com. January 2020.
  11. "James Hook: Former Wales back appointed to Ospreys coaching team". BBC Sport. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  12. "'I would encourage anyone to start learning Welsh' says James Hook after 'intensive' course with Nigel Owens". Nation.Cymru. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.