Hook, line and stinker - Gatland rings the changes after Welsh humbling
Wales coach Warren Gatland has sprung a major surprise by naming James Hook
at full-back for the second Test against South Africa.
Hook has never played in the position for Wales and it is a bold selection by
Gatland, who has made four changes to the starting line-up thumped 43-17 by the
Springboks last weekend.
The move sees Jamie Roberts switch from full-back to inside centre with Stephen
Jones remaining at fly-half and Sonny Parker dropping out of the 22 altogether.
Roberts scored a try at Vodacom Park on Saturday in a mixed display and will be
playing out of position when he lines up in midfield.
New role: James Hook becomes the last line of defence for Wales in the Second Test
In the pack, captain Ryan Jones has been shifted to blindside flanker to
accommodate the promotion of Gloucester's Gareth Delve from the bench.
Jonathan Thomas has been asked to take the openside duties vacated by Dafydd
Jones, who must settle for a place among the substitutes.
Ospreys hooker Richard Hibbard starts at hooker in place of the injured Matthew
Rees, Gethin Jenkins switches to loosehead and Rhys Thomas replaces Adam Jones at tighthead.
In all there are seven changes to the side defeated in the first Test, three
positional.
Gatland revealed the pressing need to involve Hook forced his selection at
full-back.
"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 said.
"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."
Gatland added: "All three back row forwards we have chosen have vast
experience in the positions they will play on Saturday.
"We believe it will give us a physical combination capable of improving our
performance at the breakdown where we need to improve.
"Some of the combinations in this selection are new but we are very well aware
of the capabilities of the boys we have chosen and we know what options they
offer us."
Wales team: J Hook (Ospreys); M Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), S Williams (Ospreys); S Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), G
Cooper (Gloucester); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), R Hibbard (Ospreys), R Thomas
(Dragons), I Gough (Ospreys), A-W Jones (Ospreys), R Jones (Ospreys, captain), J
Thomas (Ospreys), G Delve (Gloucester).
Replacements: T R Thomas (Cardiff Blues), D Jones (Ospreys), I Evans (Ospreys),
D Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), W Fury (London Irish), A Bishop (Ospreys), T James
(Cardiff Blues).
