Hook is a man for all seasons in the autumn of career
nine and he’s a winner as well.
“Tender age that he is, he’s not just happy to be here.
“He wants to succeed and bag that number one position at scrum-half.
“He wants to drive himself forward and test himself against the best, which is great to see.”
Hook knows what he’s talking about, having played alongside some outstanding No. 9s at the Ospreys, including Justin Marshall, Mike Phillips, Jason Spice and Rhys Webb.
Morgan is not in the same galaxy as that lot yet.
But Hook has already spotted traits that will serve the Maesteg product well in the game.
“Mike Phillips and Justin Marshall were big competitors and confident,” he says.
“You can probably see a bit of that in Harri as well.”
Shane Williams’ former team-mate has also been impressed by the new wing on the block at the Ospreys, Luke Morgan, who has contributed four tries this term and bagged a Wales squad call-up. Williams himself is rather excited about Morgan, as he revealed in his latest column.
“Luke’s been outstanding,” says Hook.
“He started with the development team, then came into the senior side. He is a great finisher with real pace. I wish I had some of his pace, because he’s electric. That’s what you want from your winger. You give Luke the ball and he’ll make yards and finish tries off. He’s going to be compared to Shane because of his size, but he has out-and-out gas, a great step and he’s a confident player. “I’m looking forward to seeing him have some game-time for Wales in the autumn.”
KEYS TO NO.10
Hansen may have felt Hook would have been pushing Carter all those years ago but the Port Talbot product started only 20 Tests for Wales in the No.10 jersey, with his versatility allowing national, regional and club coaches to use him at centre and full-back, too.
At one point during his first stint with the Ospreys he was even spoken about as potential scrum-half cover. The surprise was no one ever asked him to drive the team bus, fix the lights at the Liberty and organise the office party.
“Fly-half has always been my favourite position,” he says.
“I thought I played some good stuff with Neath at 10 when I started out and when I began with the Ospreys.
“I haven’t played there properly for a couple of years now, but if I had to pick I’d probably say I was most comfortable at 10.”
A SHINING STAR
Lastly, he is asked when he feels he played his best rugby.
He has never been big on selfpraise and so bats the question back. It is typical Hook.
Once, he said his favourite song of all-time was Champagne Supernova by Oasis. Age may have deemed that his own star might not be so prominent in the sky these days.
But he remains a shining example of how a professional player should conduct himself on and off the pitch.