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He might never have coached a rugby match in his life, but that hasn’t deterred Eddie Jones in naming ex-NRL star Brett Hodgson as his defence coach in what shapes as a risky first appointment to his Wallabies coaching team.
Hodgson was set to join Jones on his coaching ticket this year for England as Anthony Seibold’s replacement, but when the Australian got the flick by the Rugby Football Union so did Hodgson.
It was an unfortunate turn of events for Hodgson, who was previously the head coach of Hull in the Super League.
But Jones has doubled down on Hodgson, signing the former NSW Blues State of Origin fullback as his defence coach on a two-year deal.
“Brett’s a hard-working and detailed young coach who will be a great asset to the Wallabies and the coaching staff,” Jones said.
“He’s worked under some great coaching mentors like [Phil] ‘Gus’ Gould and Tim Sheens in his time as a player and a coach, so he’s well-schooled and I know he’ll give his best to the job of producing (the) best defence in world.”
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has brought on former NRL fullback onto his coaching ticket for the World Cup. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images
Jones was always on the hunt for a former rugby league player to join his coaching ticket.
Ever since he begun his coaching journey three decades ago, Jones has often turned to rugby league players to join his team. It’s why Laurie Fisher knew the writing was on the wall as soon as Jones was appointed.
While Michael Maguire was sounded out but ultimately didn’t throw his hat in the ring, Jones has settled on Hodgson.
It comes with a huge risk.
Hodgson has very little experience in any form of rugby and, as such, he will be learning on the job.
His appointment was all but confirmed on Friday night when he sat next to Jones during the Waratahs’ opener against the Brumbies.
But it wasn’t the only time the duo had been sighted either, with the former fullback sitting next to Jones during the Waratahs’ final trial match against Shute Shield sides West Harbour and the Two Blues earlier this month.
“I’m really excited to be back in Australia and working with the Wallabies, especially in a World Cup year,” Hodgson said.
“There’s plenty of hard work ahead and I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running and making a positive contribution to the team.
“The Wallabies are a team everyone in Australia loves to get behind and from what I’ve seen so far there’s plenty of talent here and that’s something that’s really exciting.”
Brett Hodgson has joined Eddie Jones’ Wallabies coaching team ahead of the World Cup. Photo: Lewis Storey/Getty Images
Hodgson is Jones’ first full-time appointment, with the veteran coach hoping to have his coaching team assembled just May 1.
Who else joins him remains to be seen, with a number of candidates closer to home in Super Rugby a distinct possibility of joining the Wallabies like Chris Whitaker and Dan Palmer.
Indeed, Jones didn’t rule the prospect of that happening when he addressed the media earlier this month.
“We’ve got a bit of a smash-and-grab job, it’s nine and a half months and (it’s like) there’s a beautiful jewellery store around the corner,” Jones said.
“You’ve got to get four or five coaches that can work together to get in there, steal the trophy and get out without getting caught.
“In a lot of ways, we’ve got time because as a coaching team, we need to be together probably for the last six or eight weeks of Super Rugby, where selection is going to become important.”
The benefit of bringing on one or two coaches from Super Rugby would be that it would allow Jones to explore other candidates who might already be currently employed.
“We want the coach’s team settled by the first of May. That’s the target I’ve got,” Jones said on his Eddie Podcast on Friday.
“There’s a couple of backstories to this. We’re in a situation now where obviously, none of this was planned. And most coaches are in a job now.
“If they’re not in a job there’s a reason why they’re not in a job and and they’re not necessarily the sort of coaches we want.
“So it’s about finding people who are available, finding bright people, adaptable people. We need a balance of character, we need a balance of whether they’re analytical or more relationship based.
“So there’s a number of different factors involved in putting together a coaching team. And also we need a team that can get together quickly and work together quickly.
“A no-nonsense team that can do a smash and grab. We don’t need people who are too clever, that are all worried about every bits and pieces because we’ve got to get in there and do a job and so are we progressing on it – progressing nice and steadily. And by the first of May we’ll be ready.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.