Losing the captaincy could be a blessing in disguise for Hogg
REDPATH SEES LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL FOR DEPOSED SKIPPER
BRYAN REDPATH knows as well as anyone the intense pressures that come with skippering Scotland. And, having worn the armband 26 times himself, he’s only too aware of just how devastated Stuart Hogg would have been when he was told he was losing the captaincy.
Yet Redpath also believes the move could prove to be a blessing in disguise for the star full-back who, in his role as skipper and Scotland’s most high-profile player, was often the lightning rod for criticism following poor team performances.
So much so that Hogg recently revealed he had considered ‘walking away’ from rugby, hinting that the criticism he received has at times badly affected him.
He was rested for the summer tour of South America and Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend then decided to permanently change his on-field leader ahead of the autumn internationals. New skipper Jamie Ritchie will lead the Scots out when they open their campaign against Australia at BT Murrayfield today.
Redpath believes that handing over the captain’s duties may help Hogg return to his best form.
‘As Gregor rightly said, Stuart is a world-class player but he needs to play at a world-class level every time,’ said Redpath. ‘I don’t know if he’s felt the pressure in the past, whereas now with Jamie, I don’t think it will affect Jamie’s game whatsoever.
‘I’m not saying it does affect Stuart, but ultimately the opinions will get dished towards Stuart all the time, if he has a bad performance, whereas I don’t think it will be like that with Jamie because of the way he plays.
‘It can be harder as captain because, when you have a bad performance as an individual, you don’t always get quizzed about it in the media afterwards.
‘Whereas, when you’re captain, when your team performs poorly and you perform poorly, you’re kind of double-whammied with it.’
Hogg issued a statement on social media expressing his disappointment at losing the captaincy but pledged his support for flanker Ritchie, 26, in the role.
Redpath (right) expects there to be no bad feeling between the pair and believes any issues would be confronted immediately. Asked if Ritchie would feel awkward at taking the armband from his more experienced team-mate, he said: ‘No. And if it was, he wouldn’t be captain. You can’t pick a captain and then expect him to shrink from the first challenge, which is just to be you. ‘Jamie’s got attributes (the coaching team) have already noticed. He is a very hard working, unassuming, tough rugby player. ‘I think you would have that discussion (with Hogg) straight away and say: “Look, it doesn’t mean the door’s shut and you can never talk to me again, or talk to the group again. One-hundred per cent you can”. I think every captain should have an open mind and just deliver it in his way and that’s what I would expect Jamie to do.
‘Stuart will say to Jamie: “What do you want from me as an ex-captain, do you want me to help you in that way?” I can only think Stuart would be like that.
‘I was dropped as captain. Myself and Andy Nicol fought for it, Gordon Bulloch and Jason White came through. These things happen in sport. Stuart is big enough and mature enough to deal with it.’
Townsend denied the ‘boozegate’ incident during the Six Nations played a part in Hogg losing the captaincy and star fly-half Finn Russell being left out of the squad entirely.
Russell was among the group that accompanied Hogg to an Edinburgh bar following a win over Italy, breaking rules around the squad’s Covid bubble.
Townsend has chosen Gloucester’s Adam Hastings, Edinburgh’s Blair Kinghorn and Glasgow’s Ross Thompson as his options at No 10 for the upcoming series.
Russell is set to leave Racing 92 at the end of the season and, with his Scotland future in doubt, some pundits have suggested he should return to Glasgow if he wishes to find a way back into Townsend’s plans.
Redpath would prefer the 30-year-old to move to the Premiership. ‘I would like to see him go to somewhere in England. I would love to see Blair and Ross running the show up there (at Edinburgh and Glasgow) and I would love for Finn to front the show in England somewhere.
‘I just want the four Scottish No 10s all playing in an elite league where Gregor can assess them. If Finn goes to Japan, then he’s gone. If he stays in France, then he’s out of sight a little bit. If he goes to Glasgow that means Ross doesn’t play. I want Ross, Blair, Adam and Finn all playing.’
Redpath has built a career in the currency exchange business in recent years, helping sportspeople to manage earnings made in foreign currency.
He recently returned to the game as director of rugby at London Scottish on a rolling short-term contract, in addition to his business interests.
His son Cameron, the Bath centre, is part of the Scotland squad and Redpath hopes returning to the international fold can help him kick on after a nightmare run of injuries.
‘It’s been a tough couple of years for Cameron,’ says Redpath. ‘He’s done both ACLs, had shoulder and neck surgery.
‘It’s a lot for a 22-year-old to deal with. He’s come back each time, he’s very diligent with his rehab. He’ll only learn from playing and his learning curve has been stymied for two years. He has loads to give.
‘International rugby is a great booster once you get a sniff. Whether he gets a selection (for the team) or not, being in and around that environment for the next month will be great for him.’
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