George Hook Q&A official thread - post your question for George here

Trojan

Hi folks,

We may have a visit from the great man here soon, maybe even as early as tonight. I'd like to get some good questions for George to answer.

This thread is for questions, not for discussion. Please post 1 (one!) post per person with a question for George.

This thread will be heavily moderated. Spam, secondary posts and trolling will be deleted.

George, when you arrive, please answer any and all questions you can

Cheers,
Al.

buck65

George, what is your view on the Connacht problem? Should they be cut adrift and disolved or should the IRFU get the finger out and invest in the province properly?

Otacon

Hello George.

Who do you believe will be Ireland's long-term replacement for John Hayes? Mike Ross? Tony Buckley? Or is there another youngster you have your eye on?

Four-Percent

Hi George,

Do you think that Ireland have the mental strength to repeat a 6 Nations victory?If not, who do you foresee winning the trophy?

Tim Robbins

George do you think it would a good idea to have a ref or x-ref on the RTE panel to explain some of the complexity involved in the decision making?



Edit: Looks like someone's vying for a job on TV - Trojan

Hi George,

Do you feel the 8 team division 1 in the AIL has improved the quality of the league and is it the way to go for the future?

gent9662

George, what is your prediction on the Ireland v France game coming up? Do you think the French team is better on paper than the Irish team or vice versa?

andrewdcs

Hello,

Do you see any merit in more rule changes on the breakdown and its implications (ultra conservative teams playing without the ball, kicking in field etc.) or do you think interpretations will necessarily mature and stabilise between unions as referees / players / coaches develop patterns around them?

If the later, how long do we have to wait, and why should the referee be the first person to look out for on a game sheet!!

eyeball kid

George, whats your prediction for this years six nations?
With all the Irish rugby success in ' 09, would you classify it a failure for Ireland if we don't complete a Grand Slam this year?

SomeFool

Hi George,
What is your opinion on the number of overseas 'journeyman' type of players at the provinces and the effect it has on the development of young Irish players?

ClutchIt

Hi George,

What are your views on using Garryowens? Is there a specific time when they are useful? I can't see the use in them as 9 times out of 10 it just gives your opponent possession when the ball could be kept in hand.
Thanks

stevenmu

Hi George,

Thanks in advance for gracing us with your dulcet tones/typing I have three questions if I may.

1. What do you think are the primary factors in Ireland's incredible resurgence since the last world cup?

2. More importantly, do you think it can continue, or possibly even improve, or do you think the current team is likely to deteriorate again?

3. You have been fairly critical of Eddie O'Sullivan in the past (and rightly imho), but do you think he deserves some credit for building up a great a team, or was he just in the right place at the right time with a team that flattered him?

thomond2006

George, do you feel the skipout pass is being overused in the modern game?

In my opinion, too many times passes skip a player and ruin a numerical advantage by allowing the outnumbered defence to drift across and cut out possible space out wide.

When there are numbers out wide, should each player in the attack not just run at the defender's inside shoulder, pass one by one and put the widest player free?

There is a time and place for skipout passes but I feel that most of the time they are not being used in the correct context.

Sorry if the question seems a bit vague...

Also, do you think Tommy Bowe is a future outside centre for Ireland when O'Driscoll retires, instead of playing wing?

wixfjord

Hi George,

It seems that prior to Leinster's Heineken Cup win last year, there seemed to be certain perceptions about the province emantaing from large parts of the media. What are your opinions on these, and do you yourself think you have lent to them?

JonnyF

Hi George,

What do you think will happen once Jonny Sexton is back to full health? Will he get a run in the championship or will it be a case of Declan Kidney not wanting to change horses midstream and Ronan will keep the jersey as long as ireland are performing?

Also, are you surprised that Kevin McLaughlin is getting the nod on Saturday? I think he's the better option because of his use in the lineout and the fact that he does a lot of the Richard Hill/Simon Easterby work you don't see but it looked like Seán O'Brien was ahead of him in Kidney's eyes.

Thanks

Ciaran-Irl

What is your take on the journalism of Stephen Jones in the British Times, bearing in mind his view that Brian O Driscoll should never have made the Lions test 22?

PTH2009

To George

From the Irish team that won the triple crown in 1985 how many players on that team would get on the irish team in 2010. ? and has the game changed since that time in your opinion.

Paul Healy
Waterford

myflipflops

O'Gara or Sexton??

A one word answer to finish the ongoing boards debate please.

d-gal

How do you feel about the front row selection for the Italy match?

Do you feel it is the right call to have Healy starting ahead of Horan?
Is Croinin hard done by considering he is the best in-form hooker at the moment and the other two (Best and Flannery) have not even strung 80 minutes of rugby together this year?!

conf101

Hey George,

What's your opinion on the attempted entry of 2 Italian teams into the Magners League and the subsequent failure of that attempt? Personally I can see arguments for and against but I think it would have been of huge benefit to Italian rugby and wouldn't have been too damaging to the league, and in the long run I think it would have improved the league so it's a great pity that it isn't happening.

Crash

Hi George,

in your opinion, who are the most promising players in the U-20's squad this year?

and secondly, who in your opinion would be the best Foreign provincial signing of a)the last decade and b) this year?

anonymous_joe

Any more exciting ties to enliven this year's 6 Nations? The worst thing about going to the games is missing out on those ties. They're truly epic.

On an actual rugby note, are there any young players you think will go on to play for Ireland?

dreamer_ire

Hi George

Given the recent number of high profile gouging incidents, espicially the most recent one which resulted in a player being blinded, is it time to consider life time bans for players who engage in this dispicable act? Or should it even be taken further and criminal convictions considered for those at the extreme end and for repeat offenders?

Thanks

Sangre

Have you ever considered playing Hook in Peter Pan the Pantomime?

Hookindo

Trojan wrote: »

Hi folks,

We may have a visit from the great man here soon, maybe even as early as tonight. I'd like to get some good questions for George to answer.

This thread is for questions, not for discussion. Please post 1 (one!) post per person with a question for George.

This thread will be heavily moderated. Spam, secondary posts and trolling will be deleted.

George, when you arrive, please answer any and all questions you can

Cheers,
Al.

Thanks to everybody that contributed to the live chat on georgehook.com today - George

Hookindo

buck65 wrote: »

George, what is your view on the Connacht problem? Should they be cut adrift and disolved or should the IRFU get the finger out and invest in the province properly?

Connacht accepted 2nd rate status when professional rugby started. They are now paying the price. Ireland cannot support four fully professional top teams. george hook

Hookindo

Otacon wrote: »

Hello George.

Who do you believe will be Ireland's long-term replacement for John Hayes? Mike Ross? Tony Buckley? Or is there another youngster you have your eye on?

I despair of a replacement for John Hayes. We should trawl the southern hemisphere and find somebody with an Irish granny. George Hook

Hookindo

Four-Percent wrote: »

Hi George,

Do you think that Ireland have the mental strength to repeat a 6 Nations victory?If not, who do you foresee winning the trophy?

paris will be the defining game. If France destroy the irish scrum and the French halves of Parra and Tran Duch perform we are unlikely to win. france for the championship. George Hook

Hookindo

Tim Robbins wrote: »

George do you think it would a good idea to have a ref or x-ref on the RTE panel to explain some of the complexity involved in the decision making?



Edit: Looks like someone's vying for a job on TV - Trojan

The laws do not need a referee. I am happy that one of the three of us on the panel can answer any query on the laws if a need arises. George Hook

Hookindo

Borders no.2 wrote: »

Hi George,

Do you feel the 8 team division 1 in the AIL has improved the quality of the league and is it the way to go for the future?

The IRFU always saw the AIB League as having less clubs but could not get the clubs to agree. Smaller with the better players gravitating to fewer clubs is the way to go. George Hook

Hookindo

dclane wrote: »

George, what is your prediction on the Ireland v France game coming up? Do you think the French team is better on paper than the Irish team or vice versa?

France to win by ten points or more. The French are better on paper and in reality. George Hook

Hookindo

andrewdcs wrote: »

Hello,

Do you see any merit in more rule changes on the breakdown and its implications (ultra conservative teams playing without the ball, kicking in field etc.) or do you think interpretations will necessarily mature and stabilise between unions as referees / players / coaches develop patterns around them?

If the later, how long do we have to wait, and why should the referee be the first person to look out for on a game sheet!!

The breakdown is unrefereeable and needs amendment otherwise a kicking game will predominate.

Hookindo

eyeball kid wrote: »

George, whats your prediction for this years six nations?
With all the Irish rugby success in ' 09, would you classify it a failure for Ireland if we don't complete a Grand Slam this year?

France, Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales Italy in that order.
A finalist in the heineken Cup and second place in the 6 nations would be a very good 2010. George Hook

Hookindo

SomeFool wrote: »

Hi George,
What is your opinion on the number of overseas 'journeyman' type of players at the provinces and the effect it has on the development of young Irish players?

Recruiting non-irish qualified irish players is a dangerous game. It will stunt the development of repacements eg at tight head. remember only an injury to Contempomi gave Sexton his chance. George Hook

Hookindo

Djdaforce wrote: »

Hi George,

What are your views on using Garryowens? Is there a specific time when they are useful? I can't see the use in them as 9 times out of 10 it just gives your opponent possession when the ball could be kept in hand.
Thanks

The Kiwis have a belief that you only kick the ball away if you can get it back. The garryowen when done well is a powerful weapon, but modern defenders are also better catchers. The law also helps the catcher in terms of being hit in the air or the resultant scrum going his way. George Hook

Poly

George,
Do you really dislike Tom McGurk?

Tmeos

Hi George, just wondering which province you support or are you completely impartial?

Hookindo

stevenmu wrote: »

Hi George,

Thanks in advance for gracing us with your dulcet tones/typing I have three questions if I may.

1. What do you think are the primary factors in Ireland's incredible resurgence since the last world cup? replacing Eddie O'Sullivan with Declan Kidney

2. More importantly, do you think it can continue, or possibly even improve, or do you think the current team is likely to deteriorate again?
An ageing side is more likely to deteriorate

3. You have been fairly critical of Eddie O'Sullivan in the past (and rightly imho), but do you think he deserves some credit for building up a great a team, or was he just in the right place at the right time with a team that flattered him?

Eddie had the best ever group of players but bad selection, poor game plan and especially his own hubris cost him a place in rugby history

Hookindo

thomond2006 wrote: »

George, do you feel the skipout pass is being overused in the modern game?

In my opinion, too many times passes skip a player and ruin a numerical advantage by allowing the outnumbered defence to drift across and cut out possible space out wide.

When there are numbers out wide, should each player in the attack not just run at the defender's inside shoulder, pass one by one and put the widest player free?

There is a time and place for skipout passes but I feel that most of the time they are not being used in the correct context.

Sorry if the question seems a bit vague...

Also, do you think Tommy Bowe is a future outside centre for Ireland when O'Driscoll retires, instead of playing wing?

I am a passionate believer in the skip pass especially as practiced by O'Gara to O'Driscoll.
Rush defences very quickly reduce the space available and only the French with a very deep alignment can strin four passes together in space. Conversely Ireland lie flat and keep the defenders honest.

yimrsg

Hi George,
Do you think that the current system of 6 nations and tri nations championships excludes any other nations outside Argentina ever truly competing for the World Cup?

And to follow on, can you see any ways that developing nations actually become "developed" by Japan 2019 without inclusion in one of the above competitions?

Wheelnut

Are you still taking questions or has this thread closed?

theboss80

George,

Do you believe Peter Stringer's international career is at an end? i believe he is still the best scrum half available to us for quick ball and releasing the backs, plus O'Leary has a tendancy to box kick a bit too much.

Hookindo

wixfjord wrote: »

Hi George,

It seems that prior to Leinster's Heineken Cup win last year, there seemed to be certain perceptions about the province emantaing from large parts of the media. What are your opinions on these, and do you yourself think you have lent to them?

Columnists are paid to hold a view, not necessarily to be right. it is the reader's/listener's/viewer's job to agree or disagree. Media criticism about L Leinster and BOD pre-Christmas 2008 was correct. the province and the player improved in 2009.

Hookindo

JonnyF wrote: »

Hi George,

What do you think will happen once Jonny Sexton is back to full health? Will he get a run in the championship or will it be a case of Declan Kidney not wanting to change horses midstream and Ronan will keep the jersey as long as ireland are performing?

Also, are you surprised that Kevin McLaughlin is getting the nod on Saturday? I think he's the better option because of his use in the lineout and the fact that he does a lot of the Richard Hill/Simon Easterby work you don't see but it looked like Seán O'Brien was ahead of him in Kidney's eyes.

Thanks

I always thought Kidney would pick ROG even if sexton were fit. paris is the match and an experienced campaigner is required. If Ireland win against france ROG will stay. A loss may mean a chance for Sexton

Hookindo

JonnyF wrote: »

Hi George,

Also, are you surprised that Kevin McLaughlin is getting the nod on Saturday? I think he's the better option because of his use in the lineout and the fact that he does a lot of the Richard Hill/Simon Easterby work you don't see but it looked like Seán O'Brien was ahead of him in Kidney's eyes.

Thanks

Kidney may be attempting to inject pace in to the back row with a view to Paris. Mclaughlin is also a more likely six than O'Brien

Hookindo

yimrsg wrote: »

Hi George,
Do you think that the current system of 6 nations and tri nations championships excludes any other nations outside Argentina ever truly competing for the World Cup?

And to follow on, can you see any ways that developing nations actually become "developed" by Japan 2019 without inclusion in one of the above competitions?

sadly rugby for the forseeable future will have predictable qualifiers and winners in the RWC. attempts to grow the game in China and USA have so far failed.

Hookindo

Ciaran-Irl wrote: »

What is your take on the journalism of Stephen Jones in the British Times, bearing in mind his view that Brian O Driscoll should never have made the Lions test 22?

Stephen Jones is a biased, anti Irish, rubbish journalist

Trojan

George, thanks for coming on.

Do you think Ireland can continue its form of the past few years through into the next group of players for the RWC 2015 and longer?

big neilly

Hi George,
Is there any youngsters coming through the ranks that you would class as potential superstars

Hookindo

PTH2009 wrote: »

To George

From the Irish team that won the triple crown in 1985 how many players on that team would get on the irish team in 2010. ? and has the game changed since that time in your opinion.

Paul Healy
Waterford

We are not comparing two like sports. Pro v amateur, but here goes. The following from 1985 would make the current side.
15 McNeill, 12 Kiernan (kicker)11 Crossan 10 Dean 1 Orr 2 Fitzgerald 3 McCoy
4 Lenihan 6 Matthews 7 Carr

Hookindo

myflipflops wrote: »

O'Gara or Sexton??

A one word answer to finish the ongoing boards debate please.

O'Gara