Coach Gatland hoping Wales can Hook Test victory in South Africa
James Hook will play at full back in Wales’ second Test against South Africa on Saturday — and admits he can barely remember the last time he played at No 15.
Hook, 22, said: ‘Warren Gatland said he wants to get my football ability on the field and I’d much rather be there than on the bench. The coach has given me the confidence to play at 15, so now I have to repay that.
No way out: Hook is firmly held in Wales' defeat by South Africa in the first Test last weekend
‘I played there a couple of times for Neath about three years ago. I can’t remember who it was against but this is obviously a massive step up. The biggest thing to learn is the positioning but I’ve been working hard on defence with Shaun Edwards.’
Gatland has made seven changes after last week’s 43-17 drubbing in the first Test. Jamie Roberts is at inside centre for the first time since turning out for his Cardiff school and Gatland said: ‘We didn’t break the gain-line enough last week but Jamie can use his 17st to be very effective in the contact area.’
Gloucester No 8 Gareth Delve takes over from Ryan Jones, who is shifted to flanker. Richard Hibbard replaces injured hooker Matthew Rees and prop Rhys Thomas starts after Adam Jones was axed.
Wales have never won in South Africa but Gatland insisted: ‘It’ll be about finding a balance. It’s an opportunity, not a gamble.’
Wales: Hook; M Jones, Shanklin, Roberts, S Williams; S Jones, Cooper (capt); Jenkins, Hibbard, R Thomas, Gough, A W Jones, R Jones (capt), Delve, J Thomas. Subs: T R Thomas, Duncan Jones, Evans, Dafydd Jones, Fury, Bishop, James.
South Africa: Jantjes; Chavhanga, Jacobs, De Villiers, Habana; James, Januarie; Mtawarira, Smit (capt), B J Botha, B Botha, Matfield, Watson, Spies, Smith. Subs: Du Plessis, Steenkamp, Bekker, Kankowski, Conradie, Steyn, Montgomery.
TV: Tomorrow, Sky Sports 1, 1.30pm. KO 2pm.
