Joke or not, Justin Hodges says he took an approach by Queensland coach Kevin Walters about playing in this year’s State of Origin campaign seriously.
Hodges says Walters enquired about the chance of Hodges making an Allan Langer-style return to Origin in 2016 following Will Chambers’ foot injury last week.
Langer was famously playing in England when he was flown back by then-Maroons coach Wayne Bennett for the 2001 series decider, inspiring Queensland to a series clinching 40-14 victory.
Chambers will miss three months and this year’s Origin series, leaving Walters with another gap in his backline following Hodges’ retirement and Billy Slater’s season-ending shoulder injury.
“I think he was just mucking around but at the same time when you say it to a player who has only just recently retired you do think about it, I won’t lie about that,” Hodges told NRL.com.
“You ask any player, if someone mentions to you about playing Origin, you’d give anything to play.”
Hodges called time on a hugely successful career following Brisbane’s grand final defeat to North Queensland last year.
The 34-year-old said it took a reality check from his wife to put paid to any hopes of adding to his 24 Origin appearances.
“I won’t lie, when he (Walters) texted me I was second-guessing, thinking maybe I could do that,” Hodges said.
“I’ve only been retired for six months, it’s just like having a six-month injury and you’re just coming back for your first game.
“That’s what I was thinking in my head but my wife said, ‘You’re not playing, pull your head in.’”
up in the north
Roar Rookie
In case I forget Turbo, will you remind us after the third game. Cheers.
planko
Guest
I would take it seriously too. It is a lot money nowdays.
turboddewd
Guest
Kevin Walters has screwed up here. Badly. Imagine the prospective Qld centers who hear Walters has overlooked them for a retired guy?! What a vote of confidence for other Qld players. Kevin Walters is looking to the past for his team. Qld did it once before with Alan Langer, but Langer was a crucial halfback. Hodges is a good center...but not a playmaker/organiser. Blues will win this series 3-0 due to Walters. Mark my words fellas :)
Brett
Guest
QLD origin mind games in action.
peter
Guest
GRUB
Dogs
Guest
The wife always knows best, listen hard. Honestly once someone has retired they need to be left alone. He had a brilliant career, I hated that man with a passion (NSW diehard) which really shows how good he was. But he has gone. This is like all the ridiculous notions about bringing Warnie back or getting the Chief to throw on a jersey and show our front rowers what running and playing hard actually means. If QLD are struggling to field a competitive squad (God only knows why) then blood someone and hope for the best. Eventually even the greats retire, that's the roll of competitive sport.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Wish he would. He wouldn't be out of place.