Allister Hogg a Scottish Rugby Union player who can play at either flanker or number eight. He is currently vice-captain for Newcastle Falcons for the 2012/2013 season. Hogg was named Edinburgh's first team captain in the summer of 2007 following major restructuring of the club and a time that several large name players left.
Hogg made his debut against Wales at Cardiff in 2004, a match Scotland lost 23–10, aged 21. He established himself as one of Scotland's best players. His pace, strength, skill, and work ethic went some way to gaining him international recognition. All Blacks openside flanker Richie McCaw rated him as one of the best back rows in the game, shortly after he missed being selected for the 2005 British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.
Hogg's pace, power and work-ethic endeared him to Scottish fans and also led to him becoming one of the most reliable players in a setup that was all too often teetering on the edge in recent years.
Hogg immediately cemented a spot in the Scotland setup following his debut. Often playing at openside to accommodate Simon Taylor, he was known for his support play that lead to many of his tries for the national team. Hogg was selected for Scotland's 2007 Rugby World Cup squad, whilst becoming the first Scotland forward in 20 years to score a hat-trick of tries in one match, when he plundered a treble during the 42–0 World Cup win over Romania in September 2007.
Hogg continued to have an influence as Scotland improved throughout 2008, playing in both Tests as they registered a series draw in Argentina before packing down against the All Blacks and South Africa at Murrayfield during the autumn internationals.
With competition from new players such as Alasdair Strokosch and John Barclay this lead to Hogg being dropped from the team and playing no further part in the 2009 Six Nations.
Despite a change of national coach Hogg was not recalled by Andy Robinson for Scotland duty, despite being a player that he had consistently turned to whilst in charge at Edinburgh.
In Sept 2012, Newcastle coach Dean Richards, petitioned for Hogg's return to the national fold following several outstanding performances at the start of the season, including a hat-trick of tries against London Scottish.
Playing in all but one of the club’s league games in 2015-16, the experienced Scot continued to be a pillar of the forward pack with his cool head and leadership qualities.
In May 2018, after 48 Scotland caps and 175 appearances for Newcastle Falcons, Hogg announced that he would retire from rugby at the end of the 2017/18 season.
(LS May 2, 2018)
Career
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Edinburgh Rugby Openside Flanker |
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Scotland Openside Flanker |
2004 - 2015 |
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Newcastle Falcons Openside Flanker |
2004 - 2018 |
