Hook scores 20 points as Perp hammer Toulouse 25-10

A very unexpected result as Perpignan have been poor this season after dismissing their coach in the autumn, and Toulouse have been living up to their billing as top team in France. The Catalans ground out the win with a strong forward performance and intelligent pressure play. Toulouse emptied the bench , fielding Beasix, Dussautoi, etc., but to no avail.

Next season Perp will add Charteris and Mike Blair, and with Hook now bedded in well at 10 will be aiming for better things.

Twas a good game. Perpignan have a bloody good scrum don't they?

Moved to Club section

Awesome in this game, but shaky earlier in the year. They seem to be ending the season on a high, having thrashed Bayonne (Spikey and all) in the previous game and got a tough bonus point away at Clermont. Here're the highlighits vs. Bayonne.

http://www.usap.tv/videos/127/604/resume-du-match-usap-bayonne-avril-2012/

They also have Strokavich and Narraway for next season, so should be improved.

Hope Hook gets a shot at 10 down under, hes played very well for Perpignan this year and regularly scores 20+ points, would be good to keep Priestland on his toes.

flyhalffactory will be along shortly to explain that the only reason Hook is playing well at 10 in France is that Stephen Jones lent him a French rugby textbook that he, Stephen Jones, wrote, in French, while he was at Clermont Massif Ferrand Central Oui Le Pantalon Auvergne, which is the greatest work of literature penned since Shakespeare, by Stephen Jones.

If Stephen Jones hadn't paved the way then Hook would now be selling burgers at McD in Briton Ferry. That's how rubbish he was at the Ospreys.

Keep Priestland on his toes!!!? Hook is on a different plane in terms of talent.

Maybe Toulouse are shell shocked after losing to Edinburgh.

Its great news for Wales if Hook is playing well in France. I only get to see the highlights (like the ones in the link ablove v Bayonne). They show Perpignans forwards grinding forward, Hook does kick and take his try well though.

The style of play is nothing like the style adopted by Wales (or Perpignan a few years ago when they looked so good in the Hieneken cup). What I would like to see from Hook is leadership in defence and attack, and creating space for others.

Hook has allways been a skilled runner and kicker, his failiures for Wales have been his overall no 10 game. Hopefully when Perpignan have saved themselves from relegation, they will start using their backs to use the great ball their forwards generate, then we hopefully will see Hook at his best.

Seagultaf wrote:Its great news for Wales if Hook is playing well in France. I only get to see the highlights (like the ones in the link ablove v Bayonne). They show Perpignans forwards grinding forward, Hook does kick and take his try well though.

The style of play is nothing like the style adopted by Wales (or Perpignan a few years ago when they looked so good in the Hieneken cup). What I would like to see from Hook is leadership in defence and attack, and creating space for others.

Hook has allways been a skilled runner and kicker, his failiures for Wales have been his overall no 10 game. Hopefully when Perpignan have saved themselves from relegation, they will start using their backs to use the great ball their forwards generate, then we hopefully will see Hook at his best.

I agree and that is something hard to see in highlights. I have watched a few games on ESPN and he has managed the well, but not excelled. Kind of shows his performance by their league position.

Eurosport describe Hook's performance against the French table-toppers as a 'consummate display' at 10.

After watching Priestland again today Hook should be back in contention for Wales, the problem is, it is harder to get out of the team even playing badly if you are with the "in" crowd. Some players can't seem to do wrong even when playing poorly and others are relegated when "first team" players come back from injury without game time for their clubs.

I'd disagree that Hook is a better player. Priestland has carried a knee injury for a while he has not been accurate with the boot but the way he reads the game is better than Hook.

Though Hooks game control is improving the more he plays at ten.

Casartelli wrote:Eurosport describe Hook's performance against the French table-toppers as a 'consummate display' at 10.

I will take that with a pinch of salt, I seem to remember the Western Mail saying he was better than Dan Carter when playing for the Ospreys!

glamorganalun wrote:After watching Priestland again today Hook should be back in contention for Wales, the problem is, it is harder to get out of the team even playing badly if you are with the "in" crowd. Some players can't seem to do wrong even when playing poorly and others are relegated when "first team" players come back from injury without game time for their clubs.

Priestland was rubbish against Aironi, he had an absolute stinker. But that doesn't make Hook an international no 10, he can only do that himself.