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The Queensland Reds have announced the signing of two former All Blacks props and one of them has his sights set on a switch to the Wallabies.
As first reported by Christy Doran in The Roar two weeks ago, Alex Hodgman has signed a two-year deal to ease the departure of Taniela Tupou. The Reds also announced the signing of Jeffery Toomaga-Allen through to the end of 2025.
The pair bring more than 250 games of experience across Super Rugby, Premiership Rugby and the United Rugby Championship to the Reds squad, while both have represented New Zealand at Test level.
Hodgman, 27, and Toomaga-Allen, 32, will join newly appointed head coach Les Kiss at Ballymore for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season. Toomaga-Allen played one Test in 2013 and Hodgman four in 2020.
In a media statement, the Reds said Hodgman is eligible to represent the Wallabies post Rugby World Cup through World Rugby’s Regulation 8 eligibility law.
Hodgman didn’t rule it out in an interview with the Brisbane Times.
“I don’t want to talk about it too much,” Hodgman said.
“I’m always pushing to be the best that I can be, so if things fall in place and there’s an opportunity to play, I’d definitely love to take it.
“[For now] It’s just how do I get to the Reds, how do I do my best there, how do I grow, how do I get the most out of that environment, that’s it.
“One step at a time for me”.
Alex Hodgman and Richie Mo’unga of the All Blacks celebrate after winning the Bledisloe Cup match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies at Eden Park on October 18, 2020. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
Hodgman added: “I’m looking forward to moving over to Australia with my family and starting new with the Reds.
“Change is good but also comes with its challenges and that excites me.
“A new facility, new coach and a playing group that has been together for a while allows me to bring my experience and just be me.
“I’m blessed to be here and can’t wait to get started.”
Toomaga-Allen said: “I can’t wait to join the club.
“I’m excited to be coming back to Super Rugby after being away for a few years and getting to know everyone at the Reds.
“I’m feeling really blessed to be able to be closer to family which is a big part of why I joined the organisation.
“When speaking to Les and Sam, we talked about the importance of family and how we as a team can keep growing as a unit on-and-off the field which was a big drawcard for me.
“I’m keen to get amongst the community in Queensland and looking forward to connecting with all the supporters around the state.”
Kiss said: “We’re pleased to welcome two props of the calibre of Alex and Jeffery to our squad.
“Both bring experience at the highest level and will strengthen our tight five on-and-off the field.
“There’s been a strong culture of care and connection built at Ballymore over the past few years. After talking to both Alex and Jeff, they both have a team-first mentality and will only bolster these values over the next two seasons.
“In addition, having a player of Alex’s ability qualifying for Wallaby selection in 2024 is great for Australian Rugby.”
Loosehead prop Hodgman attended Auckland’s Mount Albert Grammar School and was part of the Blues U18s program before representing Fiji at the U20s World Cup in 2012.
He switched allegiances to represent New Zealand in the same tournament the following year, before making the move to Canterbury.
After impressing in the National Provincial Championship (NPC), Hodgman debuted for the Crusaders in 2015 and went on to earn nine caps for the club.
He returned to Auckland in 2017 to take up a contract with the Blues and has since played 56 Super Rugby games for the franchise.
After an impressive Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign in 2020, Hodgman was named to make his All Blacks debut against Australia at Eden Park and featured off the bench in a 27-7 win over the Wallabies.
He went on to play a further three Tests over the next two seasons, while World Rugby’s eligibility laws will see him available for the Wallabies this November.
Toomaga-Allen brings over a decade of experience both in Super Rugby and abroad.
Born in Wellington, the 192cm-tall tighthead debuted for the Hurricanes in 2012 after impressing at U20s level for New Zealand and in the NPC for his home city.
He made his All Blacks debut the following season, featuring in his sole Test against Japan in 2013.
Cemented in the Hurricanes lineup, Toomaga-Allen came off the bench in his side’s losing 2015 Super Rugby Grand Final, before injury ruled him out of their title win against the Lions the next year.
Toomaga-Allen returned to the All Blacks squad in 2017, featuring against the Barbarians on the Spring Tour, and was again selected in the national squad once again the following season.
He notched his 100th Super Rugby cap for the Hurricanes in 2018, becoming just the 15th player to do so for the Wellington-based club.
2019 saw Toomaga-Allen take his talents to the Northern Hemisphere where he played 61 matches for Wasps in the English Premiership.
A move to Ulster followed in 2022, while the prop also made his debut for Samoa, playing three matches on their end of year tour.
Toomaga-Allen will play his Queensland club Rugby for Norths, while Hodgman has committed his services to Sunnybank.
The pair will join recently re-signed Fijian international Peni Ravai and new recruit Massimo De Lutiis alongside World Cup-bound Wallabies Matt Faessler and Zane Nonggorr in the Reds frontrow.
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.