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Hogg gave up a certain alcoholic beverage and lost 9kg

Hogg cuts out the Guinness

Stuart Hogg has been one of the most consistent performers in recent six nations memory, touring New Zealand this summer with Warren Gatland’s Lions side.

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However, in an interview with the Telegraph, Hogg reveals that this summer was also a time when his weight was becoming an issue due to his fondness for a pint of the black stuff.

Hogg says that giving up his ‘guilty pleasure’ helped him shed 20 pounds (9kg) and has given an extra dimension to his game.

Hogg was an usher at Duncan Weir’s wedding and this is where the cold hard reality set in, that he needed to lose a few pounds and give up his precious Guinness.

“I was sick of seeing photos of how fat I was getting, so I decided to shed a few pounds. It was mainly after the summer.”

“I knew I was getting a shoulder op and I had the potential to balloon.”

“I actually took the decision at Duncie Weir’s wedding in July, where I was an usher, and I was struggling to get the jacket shut from the measurements taken six months earlier.”

“It’s made a difference in terms of how I look and how I play but also in terms of life in general, which makes it sound like I’ve been in rehab!”

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“I lost about nine kilos and then managed to put a couple back on when the shoulder was building back up again.”

“I was quick last year but now it’s roughly similar scores but more consistent and I feel I can go for longer as well.”

“I’m never going to be a guy who can run over the top of people so I need to be in a position where I can go around them or step them.”

“I also did a lot of speedwork when I was injured and hopefully that will help.”

Hogg was never short of pace, so you’d have to imagine shedding 9kg should do him a few favours during the upcoming November series.

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B
BeamMeUp 1 hour ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

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