Australia’s Hodge has learnt his lesson

AUSTRALIA wing Reece Hodge insisted yesterday he had learnt a “harsh” lesson about tackling as he looked to make a World Cup return for the Wallabies after a threeweek ban.

Hodge became the first player to be cited and banned at this World Cup following a high hit on Fiji’s Peceli Yato during Australia’s opening 39-21 Pool D victory over Fiji.

But the flyer is now available again for the October 19 quarter-final in Oita, where Australia will face either England or Wales.

“We’re always working on our tackle technique with the coaches and refining things week to week,” Hodge said in Odawara.

“But as I have said previously, my kind of tackling in the wide channels is always in the low knee-to-hip kind of region and I will still be looking to tackle low coming back into the frame this weekend.” Fiji were leading 11-7 when Hodge’s hit prevented Yato from scoring a try and ended his involvement in the match.

This World Cup has seen officials cracking down on head-high tackles, with a new framework introduced in the hope that stiff penalties will help reduce concussionrelated incidents.

“I learned my lesson that it is going to be quite harsh if you stray from that kind of goal, so I’ll definitely be trying to tackle low this weekend for sure,” said the 25-year-old.

Hodge said he had struggled, initially, to deal with being ruled out before being buoyed by his teammates.

“There was no point trying to fret about the decision being made and my role was to prepare the team and the guys around me as best as possible for the three games I missed out on,” Hodge explained.

“I’m still privileged being over here, being part of my first World Cup, and I didn’t let the decision dampen that.”

Hodge is not guaranteed to go straight back into Australia’s starting XV. Adam Ashley-Cooper and Marika Koroibete were the Wallabies’ wings in their 29-25 defeat by Wales, while teenager Jordan Petaia made a try-scoring Test debut in a 45-10 thrashing of Uruguay.