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Autumn internationals: Wales call up James Hook to replace injured fly-half Dan Biggar

Image: James Hook: Gloucester fly-half has been called up to the Wales squad

Gloucester fly-half James Hook has been called into Wales' autumn Test squad.

Hook will report to Wales' training base on Monday ahead of next Saturday's Millennium Stadium clash against Fiji, following an injury to Dan Biggar in Saturday’s 33-28 defeat to Australia.

The 29-year-old has won 76 caps and can also provide options at full-back and centre, but was a surprise omission from head coach Warren Gatland's original 34-man autumn squad.

In a statement, the WRU said: "Hook will link up with the squad tomorrow when they gather to prepare for Saturday's clash against Fiji.

"No players have been released from the squad."

Concussion

Full-back Leigh Halfpenny, meanwhile, suffered what has been described as mild concussion during the Wallabies clash.

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Halfpenny was substituted 10 minutes before half-time and will now follow the necessary concussion protocols although it is likely that he would have been rested against Fiji anyway, with Liam Williams starting in the number 15 shirt.

Wales’ defeat to Australia was their 10th in a row to the Wallabies despite them having the lead with just eight minutes left to play.

Scrum-half Rhys Webb had scored an early try but gifted Israel Folau an interception score of his own in a performance that typified the mixed nature of Wales’ display as a team.

"We had been struggling over the last couple of years, getting off to a slow start, but we'd had a gruelling two weeks and we started the game as we had been training, which was pleasing," Webb said.

If it had gone to Liam Williams it would have been a different story, but it is one of those things. Onwards and upwards.
Rhys Webb

"I was happy with my try, but then I gave away a silly interception.

"If it had gone to Liam Williams it would have been a different story, but it is one of those things. Onwards and upwards.

"At first, I thought it was going straight to Liam and we were going to celebrate. If it had gone to Liam, he would have been between the sticks."

Undone

Webb made way for Mike Phillips during the third quarter and, although Wales inched 28-27 ahead through a converted penalty try 16 minutes from time, they were undone by Bernard Foley's late drop-goal and penalty.

"The forwards dug in well and a couple of scrums led to that fourth try, but it was full-time before we knew it. We didn't have time to get back," Webb added.

"It is disappointing we didn't get the result. It was there for us, but we have to take the positives. We need to cut out the errors and a few missed tackles.

"It is obviously very disappointing. We were so close again.

"There is a lot of disappointment. There were little errors and missed tackles, which are fixable. We will prepare well for Fiji now, and then the All Blacks.

"We just need to touch up on a few bits and bobs."

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