PAUL REES talks to Stuart Hogg about how life in Devon is growing his game
Stuart Hogg was voted the best fullback in the world in 2021 by a panel of former players, but the Scotland captain says he has a lot to work on to help Exeter get their season back on track and continue his country's improvement in the Six Nations.
Hogg became so fed up at reading reports that he was looking to leave Exeter that he issued a statement before Christmas saying he had no intention of following fellow internationals Jonny Hill and Sam Skinner out of Sandy Park.
“Why would you want to leave one of the best clubs in Europe?” asked Hogg. “It never crossed my mind to go and I was hacked off reading rumours about where I was going. I was lucky enough to re-sign for the club last year during the first Covid lockdown but what was not disclosed was the time I was staying for.
“It should be clear to see in the way I am performing and the smile on my face that I am very happy at Exeter. It was because I was getting annoyed by all the speculation that I made the announcement. It has allowed me to concentrate on playing rugby and there is still a lot to play for this season.”
Hogg was the only Scotland player named in World Rugby's team of the year, which was chosen by a panel which included Sir Clive Woodward, Brian O'Driscoll, Richie McCaw, John Smit and Maggie Alphonsi, and he was the only back to play for one of the four home unions.
“I was pretty chuffed when I heard,” said the 29-year-old. “I never thought that anything like that would come my way and it speaks volumes about how we are performing as a national side. We have worked incredibly hard in the last couple of years to get to where we want to be.
“Why would you want to leave one of the best clubs in Europe?”
“I am learning new things at the club which I am taking to the Scotland camp. In the last year or so I have really enjoyed my rugby and I think that shows in my performances.”
Hogg scored two tries in Scotland's 30-15 defeat by South Africa at Murrayfield in the autumn to take him level on 24 for his country with Tony Stanger and Ian Smith and a week later made the record his own with a try against Japan. It was a month in which he broke another record, Rob Kearney's 86 Test starts at full-back.
“The try record was something I had been close to for a while,” said Hogg. “Tommy Seymour and I used to joke about who would get there first as we were tight together for a while and I was hugely honoured to get there. Again, it is down to the team who have put me in good positions: it has been a case of finishing off moves.
“Scotland are going in the right direction and we have to continue to back up performances. It was disappointing to lose to South Africa, but I stand by what I said after the game when I was ridiculed. We gave them easy outs and shot ourselves in the foot, allowing them to win jackal penalties and put them in good positions. I do not think it was a 30-15 game.
“We just did not give ourselves the best opportunities to win and did not get to vital clear-outs quickly enough.
Little things cost us massively, but it was a great learning experience for a relatively young side. It gave us valuable experience and I hope it stands us in good stead for the Six Nations, which is not far away.”
Hogg responded after losing his place in Exeter's starting line-up at the end of last season, starting the first two Lions Tests in South Africa and becoming a key part of the Chiefs' team this campaign.
“One thing I have come to know is that you are never complete as a rugby player,” he said. “You always have a lot to learn and the game constantly changes. It is about finding different ways of getting involved and making as much of an impact as I can.
“I know I always have to look to improve my basics and I try to do that on a daily basis. Ali Hepher (Exeter's attack coach) wants me to express myself and get involved as much as possible, even if it means popping up in one of the half-back positions.
“It is a free role to do as I want and it is what I want to hear because I like being busy and having an influence on a game. It is one of the reasons I am enjoying my rugby at Exeter. Nothing will ever be plain-sailing and you will always come up against tough challenges, especially when you play for this club with opponents looking to lay down a marker against you.
“Ali wants me to express myself … it is a free role to do as I want”
“We have not quite nailed down an 80-minute performance this season but there is a good buzz around the place. We had a tough start with a number of players injured and others returning late after going on tours, but we have picked up some good wins and are intent on putting in a strong finish.”
Exeter were the club whose free weekend fell over the Christmas period, allowing Hogg to have a few days rest with his family back at home in Hawick, but the rest of the season promises to be full-on with the Chiefs fighting on two fronts and the Six Nations looming.
“I think the last occasion I had that much time off over Christmas was in 2017 when I had an injury,” he said. “It was good to get back, see the family, enjoy the fresh air and top off my accent. Now the games will be coming thick and fast and for the first time this season we have a clean bill of health. There is a lot to play for.”
