Hook can become perfect 10 - Jenkins

Legendary Wales fly-half Neil Jenkins is convinced James Hook will use this World Cup as the launch-pad to become the best number 10 on the planet.

Hook, who made his Test debut a little over a year ago, has been singled out by head coach Gareth Jenkins as a “key player” for Wales at this World Cup.

But these next few weeks could be just the start. Neil Jenkins is already thinking towards Hook’s involvement with the 2009 Lions in South Africa.

And while Jonny Wilkinson reigned supreme in 2003 and Dan Carter is the hottest fly-half property in the game today, Jenkins backed Hook to be the latest product of Wales’ famous fly-half factory to take the world by storm.

Comparisons have been made with ’The King’ Barry John and All Blacks coach Steve Hansen admits Hook would be giving Carter a run for his money if he was a New Zealander.

Jenkins, the leading points-scorer in the history of Test rugby, said: “I think he is a quality player. He has got tons of talent. His temperament is fantastic and he is very strong mentally. His progression over the last two years has been incredible.

“He is a natural rugby player, his skills are fantastic and we just try and let him express himself and play. He scored a fantastic try against France two weeks ago.

“He is not a natural kicker but he has worked and worked. He has still got a long way to go to get to where Jonny was – but he has the desire and temperament to be that good.”

Hook will make his World Cup debut against Canada tomorrow and another impressive performance will leave him in pole position to wear the coveted number 10 jersey in next weekend’s pivotal Pool B game against Australia in Cardiff.

Even if senior fly-half Stephen Jones returns to the starting side to play the Wallabies – he is a replacement this weekend on his comeback from injury – one of them may have to play inside centre.

Either way, Wales cannot do without Hook.

“James is a key player to us,” said Gareth Jenkins.

“He is special. His own team-mates believe that as well. He has the potential to make a big name for himself at this tournament.”

Many coaches would be reticent about issuing such eulogies on young players whose heads can easily be turned by the attention.

But not with regards to Hook. The 22-year-old uses the hype that surrounds him as motivation to succeed.

“I am aware of the attention but I haven’t achieved anything yet in the World Cup. There’s been all this build-up but I’ve got to go out and achieve something now, and live up to all these expectations,” he said.

“I am thrilled to bits to be playing fly half against Canada in our first World Cup game.”

It was on cold and wintery Tuesday nights in Neath that Jenkins, now Wales’ kicking coach, was first convinced of Hook’s potential.

“He was in the academy and one of the first players I started to work with. You could see his desire. Not every player would turn up every Tuesday but he did, whatever the weather, whatever the conditions,” Jenkins recalled.

“He was playing for Neath in the Premiership. In his first game after we started working together, against Llanelli away, he missed five kicks.

“He probably thought ’what the hell does this guy know?’

“But I always remember in that game he kicked one from the half-way line. That showed his temperament.

“His progress over the last two years has been incredible and it is because he was willing to work hard. That is why he is here today.”

Hook made his international debut on the 2006 summer tour of Argentina before he had even started a match for the Ospreys and has now played 15 Tests in 15 months.

Jenkins indicated Hook may need to take next summer off in order to rest up and work on kicking with his weaker left foot, perhaps the only flaw in his game.

Plus, there is the small matter of the 2009 Lions in South Africa.

“The following summer there is a Lions tour and I am sure he will be doing his best to try and make an impact and get into that squad,” said Jenkins.

That all seems a long time away, particularly as Wales have more immediate priorities in the form of a determined Canadian side.

Hook’s first Test start at fly-half was against Canada at the Millennium Stadium last November and he kicked eight conversions in a 61-26 win.

The Canadians will be a stronger unit this time around after including the likes Jamie Cudmore, Mike James and Rod Snow in a powerful forward pack.

“If we win well against Canada and put in a good performance then it will give us a lot of confidence going into the match against Australia. It is important for us to start building up momentum,” said Hook.