Hooker’s versatility a stepping stone to Bok call-up

The Sharks youngster wants to use his backline adaptability as a stepping stone to higher honours on the rugby field.

Utility-back Ethan Hooker is happy to wing it for the Sharks as long as he can contribute on game day to the side.

With the youngster making a name for himself as a hard-running and elusive midfielder, he feels being versatile will help him aim for and achieve higher honours in his rugby career.

Looking at how Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is utilising versatile players to strengthen the national team, it can only be advantageous for the 21-year-old to pop up in different positions for the coastal side.

He's had a couple of strong showings in the United Rugby Championship (URC), especially against the Dragons this past weekend, making 98 running metres that included six clean breaks. He will look to solidify his performances in the absence of some key Boks.

Speaking on the change of positions, Hooker said it hasn’t been too big of an adaptation and that he will play wherever the Sharks need him.

“There’s not too many differences from 13 to wing, but the biggest thing I’ve found is the back-field work,” Hooker said this week.

“It helps me to see the game from a different perspective. Playing on the wing is going to help when I go back to centre, so I’m enjoying that quite a lot. I wouldn’t say I have a preference, and wherever the coach needs me to play, I’ll play there with a smile on my face.

“To be able to play multiple positions in this day and age it’s a benefit, especially if you want to achieve higher honours.”

“To be able to play multiple positions in this day and age it’s a benefit, especially if you want to achieve higher honours. I view playing multiple positions as more of a benefit than anything else.”

Hooker added that he wants to use the experience to continue developing his game, knowing it could open more doors in the future. This year he had a taste of the Springbok setup and can keep his name in the national conversation with his performances weekly.

On Saturday's challenge, the Sharks just want to improve on their previous game, looking to get back-to-back URC wins before they head home.

“The more we can connect the better a team we can be.”

It was a good fightback against the Dragons and according to Hooker, it’s a testament of what the team stands for even if they are doing it without some key Boks like Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Makazole Mapimpi, and Aphelele Fassi still having to return to duty.

“We have a very good side, and at the moment we just need to understand how good of a team we are. We’re slowly getting that game by game.

“It’s those big names who come and help you. The more we can connect the better a team we can be.

“We’re definitely a team that’s going to fight to the end, and it shows on the field when you win those tight games. It comes down to fighting for a team goal, fighting for each other and staying in the fight until the end.”