Western Force skipper Matt Hodgson may be left with no choice but to play for a rival club next season in the wake of coach Michael Foley’s sacking.
Foley was shown the door on Thursday following the team’s 2-10 start to the Super Rugby season.
Hodgson was upset Foley wasn’t allowed to see out the season, and said the players would dedicate their final three games of 2016 to the departed coach.
The Force have already started the search for a new head coach, and chief executive Mark Sinderberry will continue contract negotiations with the likes of Hodgson, Kyle Godwin, and Nathan Charles.
Hodgson has been the Force’s best and most inspirational player since taking over the captaincy in 2013, and the 34-year-old desperately wants to play on with the Perth-based franchise next season.
The hard-as-nails flanker, who started his career with the Force in 2006, has previously spoken about his desire to finish as a one-club player.
Had Foley stayed on as coach next season, Hodgson would have been a lock-in to be re-signed.
But Hodgson says he’s yet to hear back from the Force as to whether they want him next season.
“I’ve told them I want to play on. But it’s all up in the air. It’s undecided at the moment. I’m still waiting to hear back from the Force,” Hodgson said.
“I want to play football next year. Hopefully it’s at the Force. I don’t want to retire yet. I’ll try to play football wherever (if no Force offer comes through).”
Assistant Dave Wessels has taken over as interim head coach for the remaining three games of the season, starting with the July 2 clash with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Hodgson, the Force’s most-capped player with 131 appearances, will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.
He was the competition’s leading tackler at the time of the injury.
Hodgson also missed the first 10 rounds last year because of a hamstring injury, before returning to play a star role for the team.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
We'll have to agree to disagree. That season 2 years ago is their only consistent season and the best in their history. They never did as well with Pocock and Brown.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
1 good season out of 5 with the other 4 being poor isn't consistency. Back prior to Pocock's departure they looked like a team going somewhere. Even that season they basically gave away possession and defended their way to victory. It was never going to be successful against top teams consistently.
AndrewWA
Guest
What else do you expect the Captain to say? Hodgson, with the 2 x Assistant Coaches, has to try and keep the players together for these 3 games.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
They had their best season 2 years ago. He was the starting 7 and captain.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I'm sorry but with the talent available, any team that has a player like Hodgson as an automatic selection will not go far. Every team needs players like Hodgson. The fact he's the first player picked probably says more about the players around him. The last time force consistently played at a decent level he was part of a 4 man back row rotation and could not crack the 7 jersey. Some players are only capable of standing out in poor teams and don't function in successful environments. They only stand out doing a lot of clean up work and when there is nothing to clean up because people are doing their job they don't offer enough in other areas.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No he wouldn't have.
Brawlsinmauls
Guest
Force here to stay, you don't throw away 10+ years
UTB
Guest
I was going to rise to this nonsense - then I realised it was a wind-up. Speaking as a died in the wool Reds fan - he deserves way more respect. Way more. If he'd been at any of the 3 established super rugby teams he'd have 30 caps by now and it'd be a very different conversatiion.
Squirrel
Guest
Force is gone it is a matter of a year or two. Rugby is an east coast sport.
CUW
Guest
he is fighting a lost battle. better to go to japan , get well paid, relax and live the rest of his life happily - rather than giving 110% FOR A RUBBISH TEAM. HE IS 34 NOW AND HE AINT GONNA GET INTO AUZZY TEAM. force will be a farce again and why bother. he does not owe anyone anything. he played with his head high. cheers
Brawlsinmauls
Guest
As a member I want Hodgson to stay, he bleeds blue. Always gives %100 and he has earned the right to call quits on his terms. In other news Lancaster has been linked to Force - apparently has contacted the ARU? Not sure if that is good or bad news.
AndrewWA
Guest
This is the player who is still leading the Super Rugby Tackle count and plays at a consistently top level week-in-week-out. He may still keep in front of Hooper by the end of the season despite playing 4 games less. He has repeatedly won the major awards for the Western Force and has been the Captain through tough times. He has been a standout OSF and still, with Gill, leads the Aussie teams for Ruck Involvements (according to ForceFan). His ongoing involvement at the Force to provide leadership, continuity and support for the new coach will be critical over the next 18 months or more. At some stage the Force needs to transition to a new Captain. Clearly nobody cares a rats about loyalty and living the Club any more. Hodsgon bleeds Blue blood! Nobody should be surprised when players get lured overseas to chase more $$s when someone such as Matt Hodgson gets such shoddy treatment. Check out what the ARU is prepared to do just to get these players to return when needed. Perhaps a little bit of local recognition would keep them in Australia.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
I don't know why other franchises would clamor for his services as he is quite injury prone at this stage in his life. He would be wise to just accept a contract for next year if that is offered by the Force or he could have a retirement plan in Japan. He has been a good player for the Force over a lot of years but must now realise that the ned is nigh as far as playing goes. If I were him I would brush up on my Japanese. That would be the best way to contribute to life after rugby for his family
ScrumJunkie
Guest
If the Force don't want him, the brumbies should take him...