Hook stars for Perpignan (at 10)

Former All Blacks playmaker Luke McAlister denied James Hook a perfect debut for Perpignan as Toulouse withstood a spirited effort to beat their opponents 21-17 at the Stade Ernest Wallon.

The Wales international put in a strong showing in his first appearance for Perpignan as he set up one try, kicked two conversions and landed a mammoth drop goal. However McAlister, who was equally impressive with ball in hand, kicked six penalties while replacement Lionel Beauxis was also on target for Toulouse.

Hook took jsut three minutes to make an impact as he judged a cross-field kick to perfection, allowing right winger Farid Sid to accelerate on to the ball and carry it over in the corner. The Wales international landed the conversion.

Toulouse hit back with three successive penalties from McAlister to edge ahead of their opponents. Hook then thumped over a long-range drop goal in the 27th minute but McAlister had the final word of the half with a penalty to regain the lead for Toulouse.

The opposing fly-halves both missed penalties in the stages of the second half before Perpignan No.8 Damien Chouly crashed over with Hook converting. McAlister immediately hit back with a penalty to reduce the visitor's lead to two points heading into the final quarter. And Toulouse went ahead with another McAlister penalty 11 minutes from time before replacement Beauxis sealed the win.

http://www.espnscrum.com/france-top-14-2011-12/rugby/story/153618.html


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Anyone see the game?

Good for him lets hope the move does for him what it done for Alfie and Wellies cos at the moment he not deserve slot in Welsh starting XV.

Few season away from Wales will hopefully revitalise him as he seemd to be severely lacking confidence in the WC.

Well done Hooky

As well as having a good debut, looks like he's slimmed down, portraying a contented image, so applause all round indeed. Contrasting that to many poor returning performances from other Welsh WC players he deserves his moment in the sun. However to temper this.......he did miss a penalty and his stats are played 1 lost 1.

So the jury is still out James

bedfordwelsh wrote:Good for him lets hope the move does for him what it done for Alfie and Wellies cos at the moment he not deserve slot in Welsh starting XV.

Few season away from Wales will hopefully revitalise him as he seemd to be severely lacking confidence in the WC.

Well said. Good for Hook. For some people getting out of the cauldron for a time can build skills, confidence, and a better outlook. Hope it works for him.

doctor_grey wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Good for him lets hope the move does for him what it done for Alfie and Wellies cos at the moment he not deserve slot in Welsh starting XV.

Few season away from Wales will hopefully revitalise him as he seemd to be severely lacking confidence in the WC.

Well said. Good for Hook. For some people getting out of the cauldron for a time can build skills, confidence, and a better outlook. Hope it works for him.

Not sure that playing at a packed Stade Aime Giral qualifies as "getting out of the cauldron" - but the move to France will definitely be good for him. Outside bet for the player of the season over there, I reckon - prompting Gatland to recall him quickly to the Welsh squad.

As left wing replacement for Shane.

Managed to get this game on in the pub before heading off to watch a local game. Missed the last 20 minutes, but from what I saw both Hook and McAllister had good games. Hook's miss was from 52m and it hit the post.

It was a pinpoint kick that put Sid in for the first try though. Clever stuff.

I think Toulouse are going to need much more to have a successful HC. Well off the intensity needed imo.

CAs,

The gold fish bowl that is Welsh rugby and media is stifling, look what good the move done for Jones and Thomas.

He's at it again - http://www.espnscrum.com/amlin-challenge-cup-2011-12/rugby/story/154005.html

Good win for Perps...!

Nice one Hooky...