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How coronavirus has left players like James Hook fearing career is over
By Online Editors
James Hook has admitted the coronavirus suspension of the rugby season means he could well have played his last match.
The ex-Wales out-half turned out for Ospreys in their February 21 Guinness PRO14 defeat at the Gnoll versus Leinster and hasn’t appeared since in what he has already declared is his last season in professional rugby.
The fear that he has already hung up the boots is something that doesn’t apply alone to the 34-year-old.
Bath’s Francois Louw, Sale’s Rob Webber and Northampton’s Ben Franks are among the Gallagher Premiership players to have announced they will be retiring at the end of this season, while La Rochelle’s Brock James is one of the prominent Top 14 players also retiring.
However, there is no firm indication that the season will re-commence any time soon, meaning fans might have already seen the last of a slew of players - including Hook.
Speaking to Radio Wales Sport about the coronavirus-enforced stoppage having potentially ushered him into retirement a few months earlier than planned, Hook said: “It has crossed my mind.
“When it all first happened you thought it might only last a couple of weeks or a month if that, but whether we will play another game remains to be seen.
“I might have played my last game and it would be sad when you think about it like that, but there are more important things in life and hopefully this virus will pass without too much damage.”
WATCH: This is what happened when RugbyPass drove James Hook and Shane Williams around the streets of Wales
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Latest Comments
Does anyone know a way to loook at how many mins each player has played whilst on tour?
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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