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Wales coach praises Hook coolness | Wales coach praises Hook coolness |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Wales coach Gareth Jenkins praised James Hook after the fly-half replaced injured skipper Stephen Jones after 24 minutes against Australia on Saturday. | Wales coach Gareth Jenkins praised James Hook after the fly-half replaced injured skipper Stephen Jones after 24 minutes against Australia on Saturday. |
The Osprey, 21, showed a composure beyond his years with a fine kicking display to earn a 29-29 Cardiff draw. | The Osprey, 21, showed a composure beyond his years with a fine kicking display to earn a 29-29 Cardiff draw. |
"James Hook today was man of the match, simple as that. We are all aware of James' ability," said Jenkins. | "James Hook today was man of the match, simple as that. We are all aware of James' ability," said Jenkins. |
"He showed today he can perform on the international stage. There is nobody who won't have been impressed by him." | "He showed today he can perform on the international stage. There is nobody who won't have been impressed by him." |
href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/video_and_audio/help_guide/4304501.stm">Reaction: Players' response to the draw in Cardiff | |
Australia full-back Chris Latham was officially given the man of the match award, as his try helped the Wallabies complete a recovery after letting a healthy lead slip. | Australia full-back Chris Latham was officially given the man of the match award, as his try helped the Wallabies complete a recovery after letting a healthy lead slip. |
That dazzling solo effort from the Queenslander looked to have earned Australia a win, but Hook's penalty salvaged a draw. | That dazzling solo effort from the Queenslander looked to have earned Australia a win, but Hook's penalty salvaged a draw. |
"A draw was a fair result. It was a roller-coaster performance," Jenkins added. | "A draw was a fair result. It was a roller-coaster performance," Jenkins added. |
"We didn't touch the ball for 20 minutes. We had no possession, they kept us under the cosh. We had to defend and we didn't do that particularly well. | "We didn't touch the ball for 20 minutes. We had no possession, they kept us under the cosh. We had to defend and we didn't do that particularly well. |
Gareth Thomas tackles Australia number eight Wycliff Palu | Gareth Thomas tackles Australia number eight Wycliff Palu |
"We showed character then to come back into the game and at half-time we were very much back in it. | "We showed character then to come back into the game and at half-time we were very much back in it. |
"It was great entertainment. It was a fantastic example of top-class rugby." | "It was great entertainment. It was a fantastic example of top-class rugby." |
Wales stand-in captain Gareth Thomas believes the stalemate sets up their next three meetings with Australia over the next 12 months. | Wales stand-in captain Gareth Thomas believes the stalemate sets up their next three meetings with Australia over the next 12 months. |
Wales head down under for two summer Tests before meeting the Wallabies in a World Cup pool match, also in Cardiff. | Wales head down under for two summer Tests before meeting the Wallabies in a World Cup pool match, also in Cardiff. |
"We have got to go down there for two more games before the one that really counts in the World Cup," said Thomas, who took over from Stephen Jones. | "We have got to go down there for two more games before the one that really counts in the World Cup," said Thomas, who took over from Stephen Jones. |
"We are improving and so are they, so hopefully it will be a classic." | "We are improving and so are they, so hopefully it will be a classic." |
Wales came back from 17-6 down after the first quarter to lead 26-17 just before the hour, but Australia edged back in front with two more tries before James Hook's penalty levelled the scores. | Wales came back from 17-6 down after the first quarter to lead 26-17 just before the hour, but Australia edged back in front with two more tries before James Hook's penalty levelled the scores. |
"Obviously we want to win every game, and I thought at times we were going to win," Thomas added. "But at other times you have to say Australia looked good. | "Obviously we want to win every game, and I thought at times we were going to win," Thomas added. "But at other times you have to say Australia looked good. |