The New Zealand coach, Steve Hansen, is said to be a fan and, according to Luke Charteris, the Perpignan fans regard him as a god. No less an authority than Ryan Jones, who will captain Wales for a record-breaking 33rd time on Friday night, says he is "is one of the most gifted individuals Welsh rugby has seen in a long time", but while Warren Gatland is in charge there always have to be doubts about James Hook's future as a Test player.
On Friday the 28-year-old wins his 73rd cap, playing in his favoured fly-half position, but this is the first time in more than two years that the head coach has trusted Hook with the role of playmaker and part of the reason why was spelled out this week when Gatland's side to play Tonga was announced.
"From a skill point of view there is nothing the kid can't do. There is no doubting that … and he poses an individual attacking threat," said Jones before adding: "The role of the 10 has changed and it's about picking those moments. James has a job to do, like everyone else has in the team. It's about facilitating others at times."
In fairness, Jones went on to say: "What James does is buy time for the people beside him because as a defender you will always have one eye on him. I don't think he knows what he is going to do half the time. With that, he becomes a wonderful attacking threat." But if the captain is reflecting his coach's thinking, then it is understandable that Hook is the third fly-half used by Gatland this autumn and against Tonga, by far the weakest of the Welsh opponents, it will be the only chance Hook has to underline his case.
Next week the man who has scored 346 points for his country will be back in France because the game against Australia falls outside the autumn Test window and Perpignan chose not to release him.
"In an ideal world you want to be available for next week. I'm not, so I just get on with it," said Hook after hearing that he would be starting a Test at fly-half for the first time since the 2011 World Cup third-place play-off defeat by Australia. It is one of 11 changes made by Gatland and a 12th could be forced on the head coach if Andrew Coombs's stiff back does not respond to treatment. The Dragons lock, selected to play on the blind side, missed training on Thursday and could be replaced by Dan Lydiate, the Lions flanker.
The captain, Sam Warburton, is also on the bench, more often than not Hook's starting place since that loss in Auckland. "You ask any player and they will tell you they want to be in that starting team all of the time," said Hook. "You do get frustrated at times, but you have to keep your head and keep working.
"I have never given up hope, but the way the team has played the last couple of years it's been very difficult to get back in that starting line-up."
Wales: L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); G North (Scarlets), O Williams (Cardiff Blues), A Beck (Ospreys), H Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons); J Hook (Perpignan), L Williams (Cardiff Blues); P James (Bath), K Owens (Scarlets), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), L Charteris (Perpignan), I Evans (Ospreys), A Coombs (Newport Gwent Dragons), J Tipuric (Ospreys), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt).
Replacements: E Phillips (Scarlets), R Bevington (Ospreys), S Lee (Scarlets), D Lydiate (Racing Metro), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues), R Williams (Scarlets), R Priestland (Scarlets), J Williams (Scarlets).
Tonga: V Lilo (Tarbes); F Vainokolo (Exeter), S Piutau (Yamaha), S Piukala (Perpignan), W Helu (Wasps); L Fosita (Northland), T Moa (Section Paloise); E Aholelei (Melbourne Rebels), V Taione (Jersey), S Puafisi (Tasman), T Lokotui (Gloucester), J Tuineau (Lyon). S Kalamafoni (Gloucester), N Latu (NEC Rockets, capt), V Ma'afu (Oyonnax).
Replacements: S Taufalele (Counties Manakau), T Vea (Wasps), T Mailau (Mont de Marsan), Hale T Pole (Southland), O Fonua (Bayonne), S Fisilau (Bay of Plenty), F Apikotoa (Marist), David Halaifonua (Hofoa).
