Scotland rookie's honest take on replacing Stuart Hogg
Ollie Smith admits there is an element of “pressure” in being one of the two full-backs selected to go to the World Cup with Scotland in the aftermath of Stuart Hogg’s retirement.
The 23-year-old Glasgow back will compete with Edinburgh’s Blair Kinghorn for the number 15 jersey vacated by the decorated 31-year-old, who called time on his career last month as the national team’s record try-scorer and having won 100 caps.
Smith was inspired as a youngster by watching Hogg but he is adamant he needs to put his own spin on the full-back position as he tries to establish himself at international level in the years ahead.
“Hoggy’s been a massive asset to the team for many years and someone I took a lot from whenever we trained in camp,” said Smith. “We are going to miss him but we have other guys in the squad who can do a good job.
“Look at how well Blair is playing at the moment and there are loads of other guys across the back three, so it’s a good group of boys we’ve got.
“There’s always going to be that pressure wearing the number 15 jersey. With a guy like Hoggy, there’s massive shoes to fill.
“It’s obviously not easy (to replace him) but I feel personally like I’m trying to be my own sort of player.
“My game might vary from what Hoggy could do but I can still help the team be in the best place to try and win games. It does come with a bit of pressure but I try not to think about that too much.”
Hogg’s retirement effectively paved the way for Smith to go to the World Cup as the youngest member of Gregor Townsend’s 33-man squad.
Having been a peripheral figure at Glasgow two years ago, the back – who made his Scotland debut against Argentina last summer – is thrilled by how quickly things have started to take off for him.
“To go to a World Cup is always something I wanted to do as a kid so to get the opportunity at 23 when a couple of years ago I didn’t think I’d get a game for Scotland any time soon, I’m absolutely buzzing,” he said.
“It’s funny how quickly it changes. Two years ago I’d only played a handful of times for Glasgow and was struggling to make it into the team and then six months down the line it changed and I got my opportunity.
“And then Gregor gave me the opportunity to come into camp and learn from some of the boys and then he gave me the opportunity last summer (to go to South America).
“It’s maybe not something I’d anticipated happening so quickly but it has happened and I’m very grateful for it.”
The more experienced Kinghorn is expected to start the World Cup opener against South Africa, but Smith will win his sixth cap in the number 15 jersey in Saturday’s warm-up match at home to Georgia and is viewing it as a chance to play his way into the fold for the Marseille showdown.
“Any game you get for Scotland, you’re trying to stake a claim to hold on to the jersey,” he said.
“There’s a lot of competition in the squad so you’ve got to be on your game or it could easily be taken away from you.
“I’ll try and treat this game the same as any other game and hopefully put my best foot forward to get some more minutes when we get to France.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Brilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
4 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
4 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to comments