Hogg hopes it's third time lucky on tour
By Mark Stevens
8/5/21
Unlike three of his colleagues, Stuart Hogg had already been through the whole British & Irish Lions squad announcement.
Twice before, the talented Scotsman had been among the chosen few, selected to pull on the famous ‘Red Jersey’. This time, however, it feels much different for the 28-year-old who believes the time has now come for him to fulfil his lifetime ambition.
In 2013, Hogg was the rookie, the youngest on tour, and - by his own admission - just delighted to be part of the overall mix. For the nine weeks in Australia, he played second fiddle to Leigh Halfpenny, whose form was majestic and won him the Player of the Series.
He had few complaints, especially given the form of the Welshman, but it was a valuable learning curve.
Four years on, Hogg again got selected and was in prime position to fill the No.15 jersey. However, just as look set to realise his destiny, a collision with team-mate Conor Murray in a warm-up clash with the Crusaders saw the Melrose-born back flown home with a fractured cheekbone.
Roll the clock forward to present day and Hogg is back in familiar surroundings, albeit not ready to count his chickens just yet. Since joining Exeter Chiefs, the current Scotland skipper has found not only a new lease of life, but has taken his on-field performances to another level again.
At the heart of the Devonians double-winning success last season, he makes no secret of adding to his CV with not only more club success with the Chiefs, but also grabbing that so-far elusive first Lions Test cap.
It’s was little wonder he was beaming from ear-to-ear when he spoke just moments after Warren Gatland’s announcement on Thursday lunchtime.
“If feels amazing and it’s probably not sunk in yet,” he told the assembled media. “I’ve just watched it with Gill and the kids and the news is just starting to kick in. I’m over the moon.
“If I’m honest, I think I have played some of my best rugby this past year and since coming to the Chiefs it feels like I’ve had a new lease of life. I look back now to 2018 when I had those first chats with Rob Baxter and Ali Hepher about the idea of coming to the club. They sold me the dream without me even seeing the place.
“It’s funny really, often players are sold the dream but when they actually get to a place the reality is completely different. Here at the Chiefs, I was sold the dream and I’m living the dream. Although I’ve only come in the last year or so, I feel like I’ve lived the journey of the club over these last 10, 11 years.
“For me, it’s been an unbelievable year and a half and to win the Premiership and Europe in my first season, I know it’s all about timing, but it’s been an absolute pleasure to be part of it all.”
That said, the angst of missing out for the Lions in four years ago in New Zealand still hurts and Hogg says a chat with his father this week brought that to the forefront of his mind ahead of Gatland’s selection picks.
“I had a very good conversation with my dad on Wednesday,” he added. “I haven’t said it until now, but I really struggled after the last tour. I felt going into that tour I was playing my best rugby - up until the point - that I had ever done. But then to have that snatched away through injury, it took me some time to get over.
“Now, being selected again, this tour means everything to me. It’s been a big job to get back to this stage again, but it’s all I’ve wanted for the last four years. Getting the news that I’ll be on tour again, it’s fantastic. My phone has been not stop since the announcement and I had a great catch-up with my parents and my brother on FaceTime.
“Being that bit older now, seeing their reaction really does put into perspective how much it means to all of us. I look at it all in a different light, especially when you realise how much my family have sacrificed for me to get to this point. It really makes you appreciate what they have done and now I want to make them proud.”
Before assembling for the trip to the Rainbow Nation, Hogg has the task of helping the Chiefs in their quest of reclaiming their Premiership crown. Today, it continues with the visit of Worcester Warriors to Sandy Park in Round 18.
With the exception of Hill, his fellow Lions will be on show against the Midlanders, as will the likes of Jonny Gray, Jack Nowell and Henry Slade, who themselves will be looking to put behind them the disappointment of missing out on their own Lions call.
“I would have hated to be the coaches trying to pick that squad, I guarantee they would have had arguments over plenty of players,” added Hogg. “Having played with Jonny, Nowellsy and Slade, I’m gutted for them. I know how much they would have wanted it, so I do feel for them. Equally, I know them as players and as people and I know they will strive to be better and I am sure we will see the best of those guys over the remainder of this season.
“Equally, I’m delighted for Jonny, Dickie and Simmo. They are all Chiefs through and through. They wear their hearts on their sleeves and this is just reward for all of them. For Simmo in particular, he’s been a standout player for the club for a number of years and how he’s not played for England I do not know. As I said, I’m chuffed to bits for him and I am sure we’ve not seen the best of him yet!”
Between now and the tour, though, the focus for Hogg and the Chiefs is on domestic matters, where they will be looking to maintain their top two billing over the final five rounds of the regular season.
“If you ask any of the Chiefs boys, we have to perform week in, week out,” continued Hogg. ‘The tour is a wee while away yet. Our focus is on this weekend and every weekend leading up to June 26, hopefully. If we all do our jobs then everything will look after itself.”
