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Ethan Hooker is relishing the opportunity to shoot the lights out as a utility back at the Sharks, and hopes that his versatility will open doors to higher honours, reports DEVIN HERMANUS.
The 21-year-old has impressed in the 2024 Currie Cup and the early rounds of the 2024-25 Vodacom URC. Having captained the Sharks U20 side, Hooker has been a standout in a star-studded backline that features Springboks Makazole Mapimpi and Andre Esterhuizen.
Recently, the youngster has been redeployed from centre to left wing by Sharks head coach John Plumtree. Speaking to the media in the buildup to Saturday’s clash against Benetton in Treviso, Hooker revealed that the positional shift has been a challenge and a chance for him to expand his skill set.
“From wing and 13 there’s not too many differences, but the biggest thing I’ve found is the back-field work,” Hooker told reporters in a teleconference on Monday. “It helps me see the game from a different perspective.
“Playing on the wing is going to help when I go back to centre, so I’m enjoying that quite a lot. I wouldn’t say I have a preference, and wherever the coach needs me to play, I’ll play there with a smile on my face.”
After a stellar 2023-24 season, where Hooker helped the Durbanites clinch the EPCR Challenge Cup, the former Junior Springbok was included in a Bok training squad this year, and is tipped to join the world champions for their end-of-year tour to the UK.
Hooker’s ability to play multiple positions not only benefits the Sharks, but also enhances his prospects at the next level.
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“In this day and age it’s a benefit to be able to play multiple positions, especially if you want to achieve higher honours,” Hooker explained. “When I got told I was playing wing I was very happy about it; it just opens more doors.
“I’ll use it to develop my game, so I see it as more of a benefit than anything else.”
He also relishes the chance to learn from the wealth of experience around him. Playing alongside seasoned campaigners like Esterhuizen, Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am and fellow up-and-coming talents like Jurenzo Julius, has helped Hooker sharpen his game.
“We’ve got a very good side, and at the moment we just need to understand how good of a team we are,” Hooker said. “We’re slowly getting that game by game.
“And that’s those big names who come and help you by your side… the more we connect with each other the better a team we can be.”
In last week’s win over the Dragons in Newport, the Sharks showed that they have the resilience to fight until the very end. Fez Mbatha’s last-minute try capped off a gutsy, 20-phase attack, securing the Durban outfit’s first win of the URC season.
Hooker believes it was a testament to the team’s character. “We’re definitely a team that’s going to fight to the end, and it shows on the field when you win those tight games. It comes down to fighting for a team goal, fighting for each other.”
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images