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Scott Hamilton (rugby union)

Scott Hamilton is a New Zealand international rugby union player who earned All Blacks caps, won three Premiership titles with Leicester Tigers, and is now Director of Rugby at Hinckley RFC.

1. Overview

Scott Elliot Hamilton (スコット・エリオット・ハミルトンSukotto Eriotto HamirutonJapanese), born on March 4, 1980, stands 75 in (190 cm) tall and is a New Zealand international rugby union player who has achieved distinction both in his home country and in England. Known for his versatility, he primarily played on the wing or at fullback. Hamilton earned two caps for the All Blacks in 2006 and was a prominent figure for the Crusaders in Super Rugby and Canterbury in New Zealand's provincial competition. He later moved to the Leicester Tigers in England, where he had a highly successful seven-season tenure, playing 142 games and contributing to three Premiership Rugby titles. Following his time with the Tigers, he transitioned into player-coach and management roles at Coventry RFC and currently serves as the Director of Rugby at Hinckley RFC.

2. Early life and background

Scott Hamilton's early life and formative years were marked by an unconventional path in rugby development, differing from many of his peers who typically rose through age-group teams.

2.1. Childhood and education

Born in Christchurch, Hamilton's rugby journey took an unexpected route. While attending Christchurch Boys' High School, a notable institution for rugby talent, he did not manage to secure a place in the school's first XV team. Instead, he played in the third XV. Despite this, his natural skill set and his position in the backlines of the Crusaders and Canterbury led many rugby pundits to believe that achieving higher honors was merely a formality for him. This expectation was encapsulated in his informal nickname, "FABSH," an acronym for "Future All Black Scott Hamilton." Given the widespread anticipation of his eventual selection, it was considered a surprise to many that it took as long as it did for him to be named in the All Blacks squad for the first time.

3. Playing career

Scott Hamilton's professional rugby playing career spanned significant tenures in both New Zealand and England, marked by consistent performance across various teams and notable achievements.

3.1. Early career and All Blacks selection

Hamilton's initial professional engagements in New Zealand included playing for Canterbury in the provincial competition and the Crusaders in Super Rugby. His talent was recognized early in his senior career when he was selected for a junior New Zealand rugby squad in 2005. The pinnacle of his New Zealand career came in 2006 when he was selected for the All Blacks squad, earning two caps. He was named to the squad that would play against the Ireland. All Blacks coach Graham Henry commented positively on Hamilton's selection, highlighting his ability to anticipate play, his strong understanding of the game as a back-three player, his effective reading of the game, and his exceptionally high work rate, concluding that he was "deserved of selection." Hamilton's All Blacks debut came in a test match against Argentina. This opportunity arose due to an injury to fellow All Black wing Sitiveni Sivivatu, which saw Hamilton promoted from the bench to the starting fifteen for the match. He celebrated his debut by scoring a match-winning try in the second half.

3.2. Professional club career in England

Following his time in New Zealand, Scott Hamilton embarked on an extensive and impactful professional club rugby career in English rugby, playing for several clubs over multiple seasons.

3.2.1. Leicester Tigers

In 2008, Scott Hamilton signed a contract with the Leicester Tigers, marking a significant move to English rugby. His tenure with the Tigers was highly successful, lasting seven seasons during which he played 142 games. In his first two seasons, he played a crucial role in helping Leicester Tigers secure back-to-back Premiership Rugby titles. Overall, he contributed to the club winning three Premiership Rugby titles during his time there, specifically in the 2009, 2010, and 2013 seasons.

3.2.2. Coventry RFC

After his successful period with Leicester Tigers, Hamilton transitioned to Coventry RFC. He initially joined the club on loan in February 2015, before signing a permanent deal for the 2015-16 season. During his time at Coventry RFC, he took on a dual role as both a player and a coach in National League 1.

3.2.3. Hinckley RFC

At the start of the 2016-17 season, Scott Hamilton moved to Hinckley RFC, where he continued in a player-coach capacity. He was instrumental in helping the team maintain its position in National 2 North during their first attempt in the league. A notable moment during this period was in the final game of the season against Harrogate, where he showcased his enduring skill by stepping past two defenders and accelerating away to score only his second try of the season. Although he is now in semi-retirement as a player, he continues to make cameo appearances off the bench, including scoring a match-winning try in September 2019 against Luctonians. His primary focus at Hinckley RFC has since shifted to his role as Director of Rugby.

4. Playing style and characteristics

Scott Hamilton was a versatile and effective rugby player, primarily known for his abilities on the wing and at fullback. He was regarded as a "multiplayer" due to his proficiency in both positions. His distinctive playing style was characterized by several key attributes. These included his exceptional ability to anticipate play, his strong intuitive feel for the game, particularly within the back three positions, and his skill in reading the flow of the game effectively. Furthermore, he was recognized for his immense work rate on the field, which contributed significantly to his teams' performances. During his developmental years, he earned the nickname "FABSH," an acronym for "Future All Black Scott Hamilton," reflecting the high expectations for his career trajectory.

5. Post-playing career and other activities

Following his full-time professional rugby playing career, Scott Hamilton has continued to be actively involved in the sport through various management and coaching roles, alongside pursuing other personal interests. He is currently semi-retired as a player, with his main focus now directed towards his responsibilities as the Director of Rugby at Hinckley RFC. In addition to his ongoing contributions to rugby, Hamilton is also involved in cricket, playing for Kibworth CC.