GEORGE HOOK IS in fine form in the RTÉ studio ahead of this afternoon’s crunch Six Nations showdown in Cardiff by taking aim at Joe Schmidt’s methods with an impressive analogy.
The pre-match discussion in Montrose centered around Ireland’s tactics with Conor O’Shea, Shane Horgan and Hook agreeing Schmidt’s side have become one-dimensional with no alternative if things don’t go according to plan.
“The boys have actually agreed with me in the manner in which they’ve said it: we’re all concerned that some of these players may or may not finish that’s all it is,” Hook said.
“We’re not questioning medical science or the players themselves it’s because they’ve sustained substantial injury.
“Now I think Joe Schmidt uses statistics like a drunk uses a lamppost for support rather than illumination.”
Presenter Tom McGurk intervened, asking Hook to explain when, during this campaign, Schmidt has ‘got it wrong’.
The outspoken pundit then launched into a tirade about the passing statistics the Ireland head coach referred to in a pre-match interview.
“In his interview, he said we have passed the ball more times than any other team in this Championship but that includes a pass from Mike Ross to Jack McGrath or from McGrath to Rory Best.
“I never said he’s got it wrong, I’ve never said he got it wrong but he’s put together an incredibly effective team which huge morale and confidence based on winning a large number of games but they haven’t played a game when we’ve seen an alternative and the alternative may be asked of them today.
“It’s no coincidence that Tommy Bowe has not featured or Simon Zebo or Kearney because we’re not that kind of attacking team anymore.”
For pure entertainment, we’ll miss him when he retires at the end of the Six Nations.
