Hook at full-back as Gatland makes changes for South Africa clash
James Hook has been selected at full-back as Wales coach Warren Gatland shuffles his pack ahead of Saturday's clash with South Africa in Pretoria. After last week's 43-17 loss to the world champions Gatland has made four changes, with Jamie Roberts coming in at centre as Hook switches to number 15.
Sonny Parker, who is not fully fit, has been dropped, while Rhys Thomas replaces Adam Jones at tight-head prop, Gareth Delve comes into the back row at the expense of Dafydd Jones and Richard Hibbard plays instead of injured hooker Matt Rees.
And Gatland has defended his choices in the backs, which sees Hook lining up at full-back despite having no top-flight experience in that position.
"We know where we were left wanting in the first Test and we have made selections aimed at improving those areas on Saturday," said Gatland.
"We know what James Hook can do and we believe we need him on the pitch from the start as he is too good a footballer not to be used.
"He has gone well at full back in training during some pretty intense sessions and he will be able to play a big part in the game from 15.
"Knowing how physical the South African midfield were last week, Jamie is the biggest back we had on the field so he will give us more "go forward" in the centre position."
Wales team:
James Hook (Ospreys); Mark Jones (Scarlets), Tom Shanklin (Blues), Jamie Roberts (Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys); Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Gareth Cooper (Gloucester); Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Rhys Thomas (Dragons), Ian Gough (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Gareth Delve (Gloucester)
Replacements:
T Rhys Thomas (Blues), Duncan Jones (Ospreys), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Dafydd Jones (Scarlets), Warren Fury (London Irish), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys), Tom James (Blues).
1 Comments
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Posted by Wilson – 12 Jun 2008, 7:31 PM
I do so hope that the changes that he is making help. I honestly don't think that they will be able to win, I think that's a little too much of a stretch, but I do think that the result can be a lot more equal than the previous match.