AUSSIES TOPPLE JAPAN
THE experiment with Reece Hodge was never about him going solo as the Wallabies’ new five-eighth but how often Kurtley Beale could job-share by gliding in and out of the action in Yokohama.
The pair worked it smartly during the landslide 35-3 first half which set up the 63-30 thrashing of Japan yesterday at the Yokohama International Stadium where they are aiming to be in the Rugby World Cup final in 2019.
Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper had urged on Test eve that his side had to show their improved mindset by playing every opponent with the same mentality as the one which slew the All Blacks.
The fragility of Japan’s new defensive system made that easier than it should have been, but the Wallabies were crisp with their five try-plays and some deft off-loading in the decisive first half.
Fullback Beale moved into first receiver as swiftly as the fifth minute to throw a long ball to send centre Samu Kerevi over untouched.
Not to be outdone, Hodge slipped a lovely ball inside for Henry Speight to score five minutes later off a well-worked lineout play.
Hodge performed ably considering he was thrown into No. 10 without a Super Rugby start in the position in three months of Wallabies training camps.
His goalkicking was eyepopping – nine from nine to convert every try because he wasn’t taking the lottery shots from 45m and further.
He had one pass intercepted playing flat at the line but showed quick hands in the face of another defender to shift the ball to Beale for the first of centre Tevita Kuridrani’s three tries.
Hodge directed teammates into position, linked in the backfield with Beale to start a kick-return try for Kuridrani and was excellent in defence under high kicks.
In the second half, he jolted Japanese five-eighth Rikiyo Matsuda with a front-on tackle, forcing out the ball for halfback Nick Phipps to dot down for another try.
The Hodge experiment is worth pursuing and the next step will be making sure he plays fly half for the Melbourne Rebels next season.
Beale, who had a hand in four tries, during his hour on the field showed again that his creativity and ability to bob up in support transforms the Wallabies.