Jenkins considering Hook for captaincy

James Hook’s match-winning performance at fly-half against England has forced head coach Gareth Jenkins to consider a redefined role for captain Stephen Jones heading into the World Cup.

Hook was only switched from inside centre to start in the coveted Welsh number 10 jersey after Jones had been ruled out of the game with a wrist injury.

And the 21-year-old laid claim to the job on a full-time basis as he led Wales to a 27-18 victory in the final match of the RBS 6 Nations with a stunning performance in the frenzied atmosphere at the Millennium Stadium and a personal haul of 22 points.

All of which leaves Jenkins with a major selection dilemma.

Late last summer, when Hook had played just two Tests and not even a handful of matches for the Ospreys, Jenkins appointed Jones as captain through to the World Cup.

The Wales coaching staff felt Hook would need more time to experience the challenges of Test rugby at inside centre before taking on the full-time fly-half duties – the same path New Zealand’s Dan Carter took.

But Jenkins is now reconsidering his options – and that could even mean Jones leading Wales into the World Cup as a non-playing captain.

Jenkins explained: “James Hook has certainly done his chances no harm at all against England. He is a star of Welsh rugby going into the future.

“The captain’s role and responsibility doesn’t necessarily mean he has got to be in the team.

“If you are the captain of a squad you are the conduit between the players and the coach.

“The importance of the relationship I need to have with the captain is huge and he is a barometer of how the squad is feeling and reacting.

“The squad has got to identify with that player strongly.

“Stephen is doing a great job in that role and I am comfortable he will be captain through to the World Cup.

“But I have said all along the captaincy doesn’t guarantee you a place in the team. I’d be a fool not to understand that.

“If Stephen is not playing well enough or I feel someone else is playing better on the day I will make selection choices and accommodate that.”

There was clear evidence in the build-up to the England game that Jones displayed all the qualities Jenkins is looking for in a squad captain.

Jones was at the heart of Wales’ preparations, he was in the changing room before kick-off and after the win, Hook described his contribution as “priceless”.

It is an idea which is used widely at Guinness Premiership clubs but would be unusual at Test level where the captain is the totem on the field.

What if Gareth Thomas was matchday captain but Jones then came off the bench? Would there be mixed messages?

The last thing Hook wants is to be drawn into the debate and he insists Jones remains “the first choice Welsh fly-half”.

But few who witnessed his performances against Australia last November, when he came off the bench after Jones was injured, and England yesterday believe it will be long before those roles are reversed.

He scored the opening try after two minutes and landed four penalties, a conversion and a drop goal to equal Neil Jenkins’ record of 22 points in a Test against England.

Hook was trumpeted as Wales’ player of the year by Barry John, the legendary fly-half he has often been favourably compared with.

John wrote in his Wales on Sunday column: “Hook is the man who will be the back-bone of the Welsh rugby team for not just this autumn’s World Cup but the next decade – if he so desires.”

And as if to add to his growing legend, Hook revealed today he booted Wales to victory despite only being able to see clearly in one eye.

Hook lost his right contact lens shortly before striking the post with a penalty when the scores were tied at 18-18 with 20 minutes remaining.

In the panic, Hook put his spare left lens into his right eye – but still went on to land two penalties and a drop goal.

“I need my contact lenses because I am blind as a bat,” he said.

“I lost it just before the penalty and ended up with left contact lenses in both eyes for the rest of the game.

“But things were going all right so I just left them in!”

Despite the euphoria of a victory over England, Wales are determined it does not paper over the cracks that had only been too evident earlier in the tournament.

They came into the game facing a potential Six Nations whitewash and Jenkins said: “That result was a long time coming and thank goodness it did come.

“It was an important win for us. It is a stepping stone for the summer tour to Australia and it will give us the confidence we have been looking for.”

Jenkins will rest a number of key senior players for the summer trip Down Under and give opportunities to the likes of Colin Charvis and Brent Cockbain who have been on the fringes of the squad during the Championship.