The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Hogg a greater threat after his ‘rehab’
Scotland’s primary attacking weapon in best shape of his life – and relishing Test challenges
When he struggled to button his usher’s jacket, measured six months before for Duncan Weir’s wedding in July, Stuart Hogg decided he had to get leaner and more explosive.
It wasn’t that evident to anyone else that Scotland’s primary attacking weapon was overweight – it hadn’t stopped him being Six Nations player of the year twice in succession – but Hogg was conscious of it even before his friend’s nuptials.
Now he’s lost some kilos, thinks he’s in the best shape of his life, has cut out the takeaways and the occasional Guinness, and is relishing the challenge of getting back to international rugby against Samoa this week.
“I was sick of seeing photos of how fat I was getting ,” he explained.
“It’s made a difference in terms of how I look and how I play but also in terms of life in general. It sounds like I’ve been in rehab! But I lost about nine kilos.
“I’m never going to be a guy who can run over the top of people. I need to be in a position where I can go around them or step them. So I’ve done a lot of speed work.”
Home early after the Lions tour due to a fractured cheekbone and undergoing a shoulder operation, it was the ideal time to lose a few kilos, he said.
“I knew I was getting the shoulder op and I had the potential to balloon,” he said. “Then at Duncy’s wedding I was struggling to get the jacket shut from the measurements taken six months earlier.
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I feel comfortable at this weight. I can do more damage and be effective for longer
“I had been a couple of kilos too heavy over the last few years. It just happened that I managed to lose a lot.
“We were asked individually at the (St Andrews) August camp what we were going to do to make this our best season and this is what I’ve done. I feel comfortable at this weight, I can do more damage and be effective for longer.”
Diet has been the big change – he had been advised for years the right things to eat, but admitted he had not always listened.
“I had a rough idea what was best for me, but it seemed that the takeaways were taking over,” he said.
“The main thing is just being prepared. I have two young kids who take up a lot of time, so the wife and I try to get the food prepared once a week so we’re not just getting a takeaway if we can’t be bothered to cook.
“It’s just being more professional about everyday life as opposed to just when you’re in playing rugby.”
Hogg’s had just two games back since returning from his “rehab”, and feels he still has much to work on, but can’t wait to take on the triple challenge of the autumn starting with Samoa on Saturday.
“The boys are flying, very much excited for the challenges coming our way,” he said. “I was fortunate enough to jump into camp on the way home (from the Lions) and the Australia win shows the standards set now.
“The challenge is to stay there and the boys are fully aware of that, we have to be at our best to beat the best teams in the world. There’s few bigger challenges than Samoa, the All Blacks and Australia.”
While still only 25, he’s now an elder statesman in the squad with a half century of caps, and prepared to take on leadership roles.
“We’ve lost a few experienced players to injury and a few other guys have to step up,” he said.
“I’ve got a fair bit of experience now and if I can help out the younger boys then that’s what I’m here to do. I want to get the best out of everybody and get good results on the board.”
His online tussles with the current captain of the team has most of Scottish Rugby in stitches, and his threat to get some sort of revenge on John Barclay for the series of Twitter “flegs” has so far failed miserably, he admits.
“Have you seen any videos come from me yet? I am trying my hardest but I’m dreadful at scaring him,” he said.
“I guess it keeps him happy, and for us that’s quite a challenge because he’s quite a grumpy big bugger.
“He told me if I get him to 10,000 Twitter followers he’s going to stop. We’re almost there so if you don’t follow John Barclay, please do.
“I don’t believe him anyway. He’s trying to catch other people. He got the Doc (team doctor James Robson) the other day but I seem to be the easiest for some reason.
“I’m going around every corner and checking behind every door. It’s a good bit of banter in camp and it gives the fans something they want to see.”
stscott@thecourier.co.uk