Hook needs to stamp his authority in an Ospreys shirt

EDF Energy Anglo Welsh Cup / Paul Moon / 12 April 2008 / Leave a comment

Pablo Luna - Moonlighting for Betfair. Pablo praises the talent of James Hook but tells us why the Wales fly-half needs to put in a big performance in the EDF Energy Cup Final

Ospreys will attempt to bury the ghost of the most appalling performance against Saracens in the Heineken Cup last week, when they travel to Twickenham to play Leicester Tigers in the EDF Energy Final at 14.30 on Saturday 12 April 2008.

Ospreys head coach Lyn Jones is now under serious pressure for his job to get his team to perform at a level pertaining to their abilities. The Ospreys have won two Magners League crowns but despite boasting a squad of rugby galacticos, many of whom guided Wales to Grand Slam glory this year, they have yet to win a knock-out cup competition. As the Liberty Stadium region are out of Europe and the Magners League title chase, the EDF Energy Cup is their only hope of silverware this season.

It is patently clear that there is something amiss with the big-spending Ospreys. Watching the replay of the Saracen match there was stark confirmation that Byrne, Holah, Marshall, Parker and Hook had the most awful games but what was the reason? Are they basking in the comfort zone or are they being mismanaged? Surely it is unfair to blame the coach when those who drop passes with clear run ins to the try line, miss tackles completely and execute rank poor kicking?

Ospreys have not beaten Leicester in four meetings and Coach Jones will be hoping his team avenge their defeat to them in last season's EDF Energy final to ease the mounting pressure on him. For this to happen he needs James Hook to step up to the plate. Gatland has recognised a flaw in his game hence this potentially brilliant player sharing the Welsh fly-half duties with Stephen Jones especially when the word control is needed.

James Hook (22) is a magnificent and creative rugby player and he has now got the experience so he must now repay the accolades. Time to forget being called the new Barry John or the next Dan Carter he has got to boss-stamp his own authority on the match. His running style is fine when you are on top or winning but sometimes you have to play percentages. When I witnessed him attempting to catch a ball behind his back in deep defence and then finding a yard with the resultant kick my annoyance reached fever pitch! I am sure Gatland would have substituted him at that point if he were in a Welsh shirt!

Is he a luxury player, is he tactically aware? He obviously does not understand the team ethic/control role. I would not consider dropping him for this game however especially with the injury situation to Henson. Perhaps Shaun Edwards could give him a wake up call and take him to one side and bark in his ear reminding him of his duties and what is expected of him. After his miserable and wretched display at Vicarage Road he owes Ospreys big time! I am convinced he will become a great but the time starts now!

Leicester will have their traditional tough mentality with a confrontational front five, a ball-carrying back row, a decent set-piece and creative backs. Their fly-half is Andy Goode (28) who is a three-time Heineken Cup finalist with the Tigers and it was him who inspired the Tigers to a 34-24 semi-final win over Wasps where he easily outshone Danny Cipriani. Goode has played terrific rugby this year despite a background of gossip about who will fill the No.10 shirt at Welford Road next season.

Goode is a prolific scoring machine with his boot and capable of long range drop goals should the game be tight. This street fighter understands the value of running the attack by putting his team mates into space. Unlike Hook, Goode controls the game tactically and shrewdly from fly-half and his analytical mind searches for defensive frailties, where he spends hours on the video equipment looking for areas to expose. He and Danny Hipkiss hold the key to this EDF Energy Final.

Goode's irrepressible form at present represents a monster for Ospreys to control. Latest Betfair odds show: Leicester Tigers at [1.61] with Ospreys at [2.72] and the Draw is [23]. Can Ospreys tame the Tigers and bring some of their Grand Slam form to the match, that is the question? If they don't, it could be a mauling.

Tags: James Hook, Ospreys, rugby union betting