Hook out to give his all

James Hook wants to give British and Irish Lions boss Ian McGeechan a selection headache tomorrow.

Hook lines up at fly-half for the Lions’ third tour game – a Vodacom Park appointment with Super 14 strugglers the Cheetahs.

And Hook, an addition to the tour squad when his Wales colleague Leigh Halfpenny temporarily remained in Cardiff for treatment on a thigh injury, has no intention of being a support act.

Ronan O’Gara and Stephen Jones have already featured as the starting number 10, and now it is Ospreys star Hook’s chance – two weeks before the first Test against world champions South Africa.

“There is no point coming here and sitting back,” said Hook.

“I’ve got a great chance on Saturday to give it my best.

“There are big boots to fill with Ronan and Stephen having had good starts to the tour, but I will try and make a selection headache there. I’m going to give it 100%.”

Hook featured off the bench during Wednesday night’s 74-10 victory against the Golden Lions, scoring an interception try and kicking three late conversions.

Had he not been summoned by the Lions, then Hook would have gone to North America with Wales, who had earmarked him for Test duties in the centre.

But he has underlined his preference for the number 10 shirt, and the chance tomorrow he knows must be taken.

“(Lions assistant coach) Rob Howley told me after the game on Wednesday that I would be starting on Saturday. I am thrilled to bits,” he added.

“I have grown up with rugby since the age of six, and this is the best you can achieve. It means the world to me.

“Ten is my preferred position. If it means playing, I would play anywhere in the back-line, but I do prefer 10.

“You get the ball in your hands a lot more and it helps my game playing at 10, just trying to control people.

“I have been moved around a little bit this season more than I would have wanted. I do see myself as an outside-half but I am just happy to get that start.

“You play wherever you are picked, so if it means playing centre or whatever than I will do that.

“It is such a team game, and the moment you start going off on your own, things start going wrong. It is a great structure here, so if we play well collectively, the individuals will too.

“It is a great honour just to be out here, and I want a good performance on Saturday.”

And if Hook requires inspiration, then he will find it written in the Lions’ dressing room when he arrives at Vodacom Park tomorrow.

He will go to his appointed changing peg – and then see some of the greatest fly-halves in Lions’ history etched under his name.

“They put the names up on the board in the changing room before the game, which is pretty special,” he said.

“It reminds you of how special the jersey is and what a great honour it is to wear it.

“The previous players who have worn the jersey you are wearing are put under your name.

“I’ve got Barry John, Phil Bennett and those guys, there.”