Springboks rookie Ethan Hooker admits he feels a mixture of “excitement and nerves” ahead of their “must-win” Rugby Championship match against the All Blacks.
The utility back, who can play at centre or on the wing, has been handed his first start in the Green and Gold shirt on Saturday after coming off the bench last weekend.
He runs out on the wing after head coach Rassie Erasmus named a much-changed XV for the game at Sky Stadium as the Springboks look to keep their title hopes alive.
Excitement and nerves
Speaking ahead of the Rugby Championship match, the exciting Sharks back is under no illusions of the magnitude of the game, particularly after their loss at Eden Park.
“It is a bit of excitement and nerves. The Rugby Championship is on the line; it’s a must-win game,” said Hooker, who joins Aphelele Fassi and Cheslin Kolbe out wide.
“The excitement comes from just being on the pitch and being able to represent your country, and then obviously the nerves come from the whole stage, the fact that you’re playing New Zealand, but it’s about getting a good mixture of both and using that to your advantage.
“Don’t get too nervous and don’t get too excited. Just keep a calm head going into the game.”
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Hooker is part of a new-look backline named by Erasmus as he wielded the axe following that defeat in Auckland, with only Kolbe and Canan Moodie remaining in the team.
When asked about the lack of experience behind the scrum, Hooker was quick to quell any fears for Springbok supporters as he looks to make the most of this opportunity.
“I wouldn’t say it puts any pressure on us,” he stressed. “A game of rugby is just a game of rugby and at the end of the day I’ve been playing it since I was 10 years old and how to play the game of rugby and once you get onto that pitch, caps become irrelevant and you. You just focus on your job, you do your job and you do to it to the best of your ability, and you show what you have.
“Obviously, in times of pressure, those guys will come out with a bit more experience, but on that pitch, it’s really quite irrelevant to you at the time.”
Positive vibes
Hooker added: “Everyone is a bit edgy, everyone is really keen to get onto the pitch and just express themselves, but I think combinations are working very well in training.
“The guys are linking up and we are not really feeling any pressure. We feel like we can express ourselves, and that’s a very good positive thing to take into this weekend.”
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