Hosen Had Long Wait For His International Cap

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30146, 1 June 1963, Page 9

Hosen Had Long Wait For His International Cap

\VHEN a young Cornish ’ ’ cem'.re took part in his first England trial in 1953 he probably thought he had taken his first step towards a coveted England cap. He had. But there were to be many more steps until 10 years’ later and 12,000 miles away he finally gained his cap when he played for England against New Zealand last Saturday. But those spectators who have seen Roger Hosen play on England’s tour of New Zealand could justifiably ask how a player of his talent could have languished in the Rugby wilderness for so. long. For Hosen has been one of the successes of the tour. A big man, he is six feet tall and weighs 14st. His line kicking rivals that of D. B. Clarke for length, his goal kicking is deadly accurate, and what is more, he possesses Rugby courage of a high order. In the second half last Saturday, when England was being crushed up front, he figured in an incident which won praise from even the most fervent All Black supporters. Hosen had the choice of C. E. Meads or the ball from an up and under. He took both. He claimed a mark and took the full impact of Meads's IGst. Hosen was carried back about six feet by the tackle, but he was still groggily clutching the ball and had saved an almost certain try. It may be that is whait is expected of an international fullbut many others in New Zealand have faltered when the ball is high in the air and large, eager All Black forwards are approaching. Hosen’s remark about that incident perhaps sums up the modesty of the man and also explains much of his Rugby career. He said: "It was on, and I decided to stick around.” For since 1953 Hosen has stuck around, always being close to higher honours but until this year never quite reaching his goal. As a hardrunning centre in 1953 he showed uncommon promise, but at that time England was rich in centres, with W. P. Davies and J. E. Butter-

field. Hosen remained promising, even then showing his Rugby gifts, but often distributing them rather fitfully so that by some critics he was labelled inconsistent.

• But his Rugby chance came in 1960. J. Hetherington, then England’s fullback, retired and Hosen, who was playing for the same club, Northampton, changed from utility back to full-back. Recognition did not come immediately, but his sound play and fine goal kicking perhaps touched a chord ir the memorv of

the English selectors about New Zealand’s own D. B. Clarke, and he was chosen for this tour.

Like all of the England team, Hosen is a friendly and a modest man. His attitude to Rugby has not the bleak, uncompromising outlook of some New Zealand players, but nonetheless, he does not take the game lightly.

“We may give the impression that we do not care, but we are trying just as hard as you,” he said with a chuckle to dismiss a

question about the different outlooks on Rugby by England and New Zealand. “But it is a tremendous experience to come here. If you cannot play Rugby well in New Zealand, you could not play it anywhere. The atmosphere, the knowledge on Rugby held by most people, makes this a Rugby fanatics’ ’paradise,’ ” he said.

Hosen obviously has found his true metier at full-back, but like some erring philanderer he occasionally returns to his first love, and when there is a chance he will run with all the determination and speed he showed when he was a centre. Against New Zealand last week he nearly brought off the surprise of the match when he took a ball at full speed and crashed straight through the All Black forwards. Only a desperate tackle stopped

him altering the state of the game at a crucial stage. Hosen was educated a 1 Falmouth Grammar School where he was a fly-half After graduating from Loughborough College as a physical education specialist he taught at Warwick school and there played for Midland Counties against the 1953 All Blacks. He then moved tc Northampton, but recently was appointed as physical education \ specialist al Rugby School—a nice touch for a Rugby international He was enthusiastic abou: his new job. “I will be tht first specialist they have had. I think former ser-geant-majors held the jot before.” Hosen's sporting ability is not confined to Rugby. He is a good cricketer, playing for Cornwall in the Minor Counties competition and he has met with some success as a fast bowler Last season he captained Cornwall.