Is it just me? Am I the only one who can’t see it? When I watch Reece Hodge play, I look at him and think… He’s OK.
Not exciting. Not a gamebreaker. Just OK.
Maybe he is the classic utility back – a jack of all trades but master of none. Good enough and versatile enough for a spot on the bench, but lacking the x-factor required to be a starter.
In 2018, there was the notion that Hodge’s best position would be 10. He then went on to play in that position; and 12, 13, wing and fullback. Why not give him a shot a scrum-half to give him the full experience?
Hodge needs to speak up and clearly state where he wants to play. If it’s 10, then great, let him compete with Quade Cooper at the Rebels. If it’s on the wing or fullback then great, let’s see how he measures up.
Longer term however, he would have the most joy cementing a position in the centre, probably at 13.
His defence is sufficient, but he needs the consistency – through game time – to develop the understanding and skills to truly excel in the position. On the wing he isn’t quick enough of foot or mind to be world-class. He does have a sizeable kicking game but, again, a lack of pace could be an issue at 15.
The Melbourne Rebels’ Reece Hodge. (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)
He has a weird running and passing style, which would make him a nightmare to play off at 10, so this should not be an option.
At 13 he is quick enough to make some outside breaks and would not be required to be the main playmaker. At the Rebels he could thrive, with Billy Meakes a great defender and hard runner, drawing in defenders to provide Hodge with space outside.
For the Wallabies, he may not be of sufficient quality to oust Samu Kerevi (if he’s chosen there), Tevita Kuridrani (although injured a lot) or Australia’s latest great hope, Jordan Petaia.
But if he’s given consistent game time in one position, who’s to say what he could become.
Now, he probably wouldn’t get in my Wallabies matchday 23, but he would make my wider training squad, given his versatility (yes, I can see the irony).
At 24, it is time for Hodge to take charge of his career and, rather than gathering caps off the bench plugging holes lay down a marker, draw a line in the sand and say, “This is where I want to play and I am going to develop my skills until you have to pick me.”
Given the quality of the squad in Melbourne, maybe he needs to look elsewhere – maybe a stint in Europe to broaden his horizons? The latter will become an increasingly common option for younger players. Go to France, Ireland or the UK for two or three years when young, then return with a depth of knowledge and understanding that others wouldn’t have.
Anyway, Hodge. Just pick a position mate, and become a master of it, rather than the Swiss Army knife player that you currently are.
QED
Roar Rookie
long term or even right now. Kerevi 12, Petai 13, Banks 15, Folau, Niavalu, and Hodge bench. Post RWC you have Gordon/Powell/Sorovi. If you carry three reserve backs who is the third maybe Maddocks or Chris Feauai-Sautia ? he is only 25. The 64 thousand dollar question is who is the 10. Post RWC the Nard will head Nth and even if Cooper plays the RWC he is not the solution long term with his aging legs.
QED
Roar Rookie
everybody likes him at 12, scratch that everybody by MC and to a lesser extent Wessels
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I had hoped Hodge would make it as a 10 for the Rebels. The plus side was his defence, his general kicking and goal kicking. Handling was only OK and positional play would come with experience but with the signing of Cooper, this has gone out the window. 12 looks well and truly covered with Kerevi, Beale, Hunt Kuridrani can play there as well. 13 appears to be his best chance but it is getting on a bit to decide where he wants to play.
Paddy
Roar Rookie
Most accurate statement of the decade!
Paddy
Roar Rookie
Good article, fair point. Going overseas AFTER the world cup could work but I'd prefer, especially if he does as you say and looks to cement a singular position, he stayed in Aus and continued to work on combinations with the other Australian centers as well as get more time in the center position. 13 is clearly his position of the future, given most other spots are already filled and his skill-set would suit him to the outside channels (with the occasional hit up through the mid field). Kerevi and Kuridrani are still to inconsistent for my liking and I'd prefer better ball handling skills with a touch of kicking prowess from my 13. Much like the skill-set of the late, great Conrad Smith....of which I can similarities in Hodge's play, but not in Kurevi or Kuridrani's play.
QED
Roar Rookie
Thanks Gav for throwing a cold bucket of reality in my face :(
Gav
Guest
QED Hunt is a Waratah, so get over it. We have seen the biased selections over Cherikas Reign so nothing new with Hunt. 36 year old AAC will be in Michael Checks 23, as will the one dimensional can`t tackle can`t kick Foley and Kurtley erratic panicky can`t tackle Beale. Hanigan Dempsey Latu TPN Simmons have some stiff competition this year but will probably get in the 23 at the expense of Naisraani Arnold Philip Jones Valentini Faaingaa BPA Timu Arnold McCaffrery etc etc.
QED
Roar Rookie
except this is a "have your say" message board for the general public to express their views, bias, inaccurate and miss informed or otherwise. If one does it respectfully (I'm guilty of crossing that line at times so big glass house there) Then I say let the conversation roll on
QED
Roar Rookie
meant to add. if i said we should be considering Berrick Barnes at 32 - a lot of reactions on the Roar would be "gee mate I think he's a bit past it". MC picking AAC at 36 doesn't make it a good decision. For players going over 30 you hope they can maintain/find their former glory and for their experience they bring to the team. Hunt at 32 has no 'former glory' and has limited Wallaby experience. He is a competent 12 and solid in defense. If anything it says more about how bad the MC era has been at developing young players that should be in consideration by now
Marto
Guest
This comment has been removed for breaching The Roar's comments policy.
QED
Roar Rookie
well not really as ACC has been regular starter and maybe 'star' is pushing it to far but has been a major part of the Wallabies for many years contributing many great memorable moments so i say again name me other 30+ players who has limited international experience never been a certain starter and is some how now in the conversion for the run on 15 ?
Gav
Guest
" How often in defence of Foley’s sole selection over 4 years have we heard the words ‘there is no one better’? We look to the failures of his competitor over that time (QC) as some sort of negative justification for a negative result (selection of a limited 10). " Sums up the Woeful Cheika era.
K-Man
Guest
AAC will be in the Wallaby starting 23 at 36 yo, so your narrative is just been debunked.
QED
Roar Rookie
Someone on Roar will have the stats but wasn't the defensive record with Grey's last season with the Tahs one of the worst in Super Rugby ? Then Mr loyal to a fault makes him the wallaby defense coach. He can't be much of a defense coach if in all his time at the Tahs & WB he hasn't managed to 'coach' Foley and Beale to defend their channel ??
QED
Roar Rookie
I agree that Foley should be rested this year - the whole year. Then he can take up a Northern Hemisphere contract fit and fresh
QED
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately Hodge is almost the perfect 'specialist' bench player as he is a 12 that can more than competently cover 13 or 15, or if injury demands wing but only 10 if he is the last man standing. Also if the game gets very tight you bring him on for his boot for good exits out of your half and he puts penalties at 50+ with in range
QED
Roar Rookie
In order specialist 12's Kerevi, Toomua, Hodge, maybe then Beale if he can ever learn to tackle consistently - zero interest in seeing Hunt in the WB
QED
Roar Rookie
Everybody on Roar complains that MC does not pick the best player for each position or at least in their regular position. Yet you shoe horn Kerevi into a winger. When his best position in 12 (and can cover 13). Ditto Beale is a 12/10/15 If you want a winger find a specialist winger. As Matt Burke used to say the number one criteria for a wing is speed, you could add explosiveness if not max top end speed. at the moment for me that means Folau and Niavalu, followed by Korribete maybe Maddocks
QED
Roar Rookie
I don't understand why Hunt is in the conversation. he is 32 on the small side, slow but a very good defender Why is he even been consider at all in the starting 23 ? Yet lealiifano is 31 and referred to as a 'veteran' read hmmm maybe past it. Name me one 32 year in any international rugby side still being considered as a starting player for RWC that has not been an out and out star or at least a regular starter in their position for their respective country for large parts of their career ??
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
Yes I agree NorthernPom :) Hodge needs to specialise now imo. I think his best position is at 12. He's big, carries the ball great, defends, passes and kicks very well. I think he's now a better no 12 than the inconsistent Beale on 2018 form. If he specialises in that position he'll greatly improve too