Hook Replacing Jones?
In keeping with the rygbi theme (and hating to come down off the cloud I’ve been on since Saturday past), it seems Gareth Jenkins won’t hesitate to replace benched Captain Stephen Jones with James Hook in the half-fly position for World Cup play.
Stopping short of removing Jones as captain, Jenkins went on to say “Stephen Jones is the captain, but his role doesn’t necessarily mean he has got to be in the team.” “The squad has got to identify with that player strongly. Stephen is doing a great job in that role and I am comfortable he will be captain through to the World Cup.”
“But I have said all along the captaincy doesn’t guarantee you a place in the team. I’d be a fool not to understand that. If Stephen is not playing well enough or I feel someone else is playing better on the day I will make selection choices and accommodate that.”
My own personal opinion is that Jones has taken more than his share of flack for being off his game a bit this year. I can think of a few others who are in the same boat and received a great deal less criticism for it. So I think Jenkins is doing the right thing in keeping the status quo for the moment. But that’s my opinion and I’m sure others will disagree.