VIDEO: Young Bok centre duo in line to face Italy
TURIN, ITALY: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is set to shake things up for Saturday’s Test against Italy in Turin, which could see Ethan Hooker get his first run at centre in a Springbok jersey.
The 22-year-old looks set for an exciting centre partnership with Canan Moodie when the Boks face a fired-up Italian side at the Allianz Stadium.
Erasmus is expected to rest a few of the senior players this week, especially after the bruising encounter against France last week, which created a lot of sore bodies.
Handre Pollard will most likely get a run this weekend, as would the flyer, Edwill van der Merwe.
Hooker has been playing wing for the Springboks, but it is in the midfield where he could be at his most devastating.
The young Durbanite introduced himself to the world with a sterling performance in the record 43-10 victory over the All Blacks in Wellington earlier this year.
But he is also up against some stern opposition, both at wing and centre, where he competes with the likes of Kurt-Lee Arendse and De Allende for a starting berth.
In the meantime, he is taking everything he learns from the seasoned veterans around him on board to become a better player.
Speaking to Rugby365 ahead of the clash with the Azzurri, Hooker said he just wants to get himself into the team first.
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“What is ideal for me is just trying to get myself into the team. Whether it’s wing or centre, I’m not really fussed.
“I’m just trying to better myself as a player, and I love the fact that I can play both centre or wing.
“So, I’m just sticking to that versatility and developing my game in both areas,” he said.’
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Being around some of the best players in the world is something he never takes for granted, and says the one thing he has learned is to never get complacent.
“Just always have something on your mind that you want to work on and better yourself. Get addicted to almost bettering yourself every day.
“Being in this environment has been awesome. People like Damian [Willemse] and Doogz [Damian de Allende] have really helped me, especially this week.
“They bring cool heads to the game, and I just feed off them and become a student of the game from those two, especially.”
