Ethan Hooker expects Italy to provide the Springboks with “a serious challenge” in Turin on Saturday.
The 22-year-old has made six appearances for the Boks this year, all on the wing, and could get the opportunity to wear the No 12 jersey for the first time on Saturday with Canan Moodie at 13.
While inside centre is Hooker’s preferred position, he’s happy to wing it.
“I love being able to play multiple positions. It widens my game and I want to be as versatile as possible to give the coaches opportunities to play me wherever they feel I can make an impact. As long as I am on the field that’s all that matters.
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“I’m very privileged to be in the situation I am now. Being in an environment with good players and high-quality coaches automatically ups your game. I’m just trying to take away as much as I can and build on myself every single day with the players I have around me.
“What’s special about this environment is how each and every single person is so eager to better themselves. No one is complacent regardless of how they are performing. Everyone is wanting to improve and get better every single day.”
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Hooker made his Test debut in the 45-0 win against Italy in Port Elizabeth in July, but expects a bigger battle against a full-strength Azzurri outfit that beat the Wallabies 26-19 last weekend.
“Italy are always a tough challenge. I’ve never played them here but I can imagine they are going to be a different monster.
“They bring physicality with good playmakers. It’s going to be a serious challenge for our backline but it’s all about manning up and taking on whatever challenges come our way.”
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Hooker also brushed off the fact that Italy are currently 10th in the World Rugby rankings.
“World rankings don’t really mean anything to us. It’s all about how a team pitches up, how they prepare in the week. We don’t look at where our opponents are ranked, we have to match their intent and be better if we want to come out of this match with a win.”
Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
