FEATURE: Hooker may be a newbie, but he is determined to make his time at the Boks count

One of the strangest things to hear from a modern rugby player, is their attitude to fatigue.

Rugby is virtually built around this - the 23-man squad being used to the hilt by coaches like Rassie Erasmus to utilise the now famous bomb squad, a bench full of players ready to make an impact and exploit that fatigue in the opposition.

That is one of the clearest hallmarks of rugby in the mode modern era, and you find teams trying to embrace that fatigue and what it means as they enjoy the cauldron of test rugby.

So when Ethan Hooker, one of the younger players in the side, who has already made his mark during Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry and has a promising career ahead of him, talks fatigue, it is time to listen.

One of the brightest young stars in the Bok squad, and a player who certainly has taken his chances when presented, Hooker knows what he is talking about, and it isn’t surprising when a smile comes to his face talking about fatigue.

Not that this is where the question came from - it was posed as a softball “what's your superpower on the field?” question, but the answer was revealing none the less.

FATIGUE IS AN EQUALISER

“I would say it's going to sound weird — at the time, I think it's the worst possible thing, when everyone's tired and it's like the game's on the line, like that Argentina game, the last two minutes, game's on the line, everyone's exhausted and you're just throwing your body around.

"At the time I thought it's the worst possible thing. But looking back at it, I sort of love that — I get a kick out of everyone being on that same level of just being tired, and you just have to see it through. You can fight harder and fight longer,” Hooker smiles.

The former Westville Boy’s prodigy, who has found himself as a shooting star who has taken his opportunities in the Bok setup, and now looks set for a big role heading into next year’s Rugby World Cup.

Hooker had to overcome injuries though, including a late tackle cheap shot in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship that put him out for several weeks. It was a long road back, and was fuelled by the disappointment and anger over what had happened.

Hooker admits it wasn’t easy, and the long road back was something he needed to manage well.

“I think the biggest thing for me was to get over it — it obviously plays a huge mental game, I remember. The first thing I thought was, how many games am I going to miss? That's the big question I'd ask myself,” he explained.

LONG ROAD FROM INJURY

“And I think, at the moment, once I got over that and just thought, okay, let me fix myself, then it's better for you. The Sharks played such a huge role in that — they've got such good facilities, such good physios, they really helped me come back. I came back a few weeks early because of them.

“But I think it's just sort of accepting that this is what happened — I need to go for an operation to set me right in the long run. The only thing I can do is, like I said, day by day, get my rehab done, do as many extras as I can, and just strengthen it, make sure by the time I come back I don't want to be thinking about it.

“So for the whole game I'm thinking, let me try to hide my left shoulder, protect my right shoulder — I don't want to be in that kind of situation. So try to make the most of it every single day and just make sure that I come back stronger and with confidence. It varies obviously from person to person, but they say about 12 weeks is you pushing to come back early — normally it's 14 to 16 weeks. I played mine at 11 weeks.

“I did have surgery. There was an option not to operate, but the risk of it coming out again is so high, especially at a young age playing a contact sport — and if it comes out again, it's like you lift up your arm and it comes out.

"I think at that point you have to go for an operation. So I said, let me do it now, get it over and done with, and I won't miss too many games at the end of the season.”

THE SMALL STEPS IN REHAB MATTER

Hooker explained how difficult the rehabilitation process had been for him.

“You start by trying to shower, and mobility is a huge thing. I remember I used to try to reach as far as I could go, try to reach the back, and it's just not — nothing's working, and you're scared and you sort of try to protect it.

“But I think the biggest thing is just knowing that it's actually stronger than this shoulder because of the way it's done — the bone is healed over the joint and stuff, it's stronger than this, you just have to back it.

"All of a sudden you have to start making hits, and you feel like it's not too bad, and you slowly take up more contact and also drive into contact. And then all of a sudden you get your confidence back and now I don't even think to ask about it.”

Hooker gives an interesting perspective on how defeat is seen at the Boks. He has been part of the squad for a while now, but the first test defeat at the hands of the All Blacks was the first time the Boks had lost in 13 tests, and it is a telling reminder of what standards are expected within the camp.

DEFEAT IN A TEST IS TAKEN HARSHLY

“I think you realise how much it actually means to everyone, and how important South Africa is for us. Because, I mean, we hurt — you could sit in meetings, guys hurt after the game, guys hurting. It means it's our everything, basically.

“And to go onto the field on Saturday and win for South Africa, that's our biggest thing. So I think for a couple of the new guys, myself included, seeing how much it means to everyone really inspires you, and it almost lifts you up.

"This week I'm keen to go out onto the field and just give it my all, because I sort of want to fix things as much as I can — just take it upon myself to do my job to better the team.

“Sometimes I think we're being a bit hard on ourselves. I mean, it was our first loss and I think in 13 games. But the fact that it hurts us so much, I like to think of it as a good thing. You don't want to get used to losing, you want to get used to winning.”

Hooker’s other big setback this year was losing his dad - after a short illness - and his inspiration, someone he readily calls his mentor.

“My dad. My dad, definitely,” he lights up as he is asked about his mentor and inspiration.

“A lot of it growing up, he mentored me a lot — what's wrong, what's right — and gave me that fight and hunger to achieve more in life. And then I'd say, once I started kicking off my rugby, JP Pietersen definitely played a huge role in my development, and in backing myself. I always talk about how he backs me, and that just gives me the power to play with freedom and confidence.”

Hooker admits that it has been tough dealing with the loss of his dad Craig, but that has also served as inspiration.

LOSING HIS DAD WAS TOUGH

“Yeah, it definitely was. I think being in an environment where I'm so close with everyone, and they understand and they really back me, it makes it a lot easier.

"I'm definitely travelling a bit, and obviously staying focused on rugby and stuff helps a bit more, but it's definitely tough. It's hard to see what happens back home, and I'm not there with them and stuff, so that plays a huge role. But in the moment, it's definitely, definitely tough.”

Hooker has a bright future ahead of him, and as long as he keeps on living up to the standards that are set, he will be a regular in the team.

And if there is a way to pay homage to his dad, performing in the Green and Gold would be it.