Wallabies count on Hodge to hit target

HE kicked a 50m goal from the sideline to beat the Springboks on the Wallabies’ last visit to Bloemfontein.

But Kurtley Beale won’t be putting his hand up for more long-range bombs when Australia return to the same venue this week.

He doesn’t have to. Not when Reece Hodge is in the team and is equipped with a cannon in his right boot that can kick goals from well over tribute game held in honour of club legend Alan Roderick, who died of cancer, at 43.

Wanderers president Vince Rapira said the event had become an important occasion for the club with stalwarts travelling long distances to remember the loveable former prop and coach. 60m in the thin air of the South African high veldt.

“Nah, mate. Hodgey’s your man,” Beale said.

“I back him, he’s got a great boot on him.”

Last year, before the Wallabies’ Test in Pretoria, Hodge used the high altitude to send kicks over from “at least 60 on the angle” in training. He had announced himself in Test rugby a month earlier by nailing a 55m penalty against the All Blacks.

But while Hodge may have the distance, Beale’s boot has

“It was a fantastic day,” Rapira said. “Alan was held in high esteem. He’d give the boys work around the club at his steel company and always help people out.

“I played with Al and he was a real likeable knockabout bloke … always jovial and keen to have a laugh.”

Wanderers struggled to the result on the board. And not just any result, but one of the Wallabies’ most famous.

When Beale kicked a postsiren penalty in 2010 from about 47m out – but with extra length added for being near the sideline – it secured the Wallabies’ first win on the high veldt in 47 years.

Now older and wiser, the Wallabies centre still treasures the memory.

“To win the (first) game up on the high veldt in 40 years, it was a pretty special moment for me and for the team, and it field a premier grade team in the competition last season but Rapira said the club aimed to turn their fortunes around in 2018.

“Next year is our 40th anniversary,” he said.

“Some of our players played rugby league last year and we think they may come back.

“We’ve got a big contingent helped build momentum into that year. And it turned out to be a pretty good year for us,” Beale said.

This week – to continue to breed self-belief – they need to get a win on the road. To do it in South Africa, and at high altitude again, would be huge for the team’s psychology.

“Consistency is probably a big one for us – aiming for that consistency week in and week out is pretty important to the way we want to build into the season,” Beale said.

The Wallabies flew over to of juniors starting in the school holidays and some of them will come through.

“We’re also seeing a lot of young girls get involved in the sport.”

Meanwhile, Harley Lyons has been named the Northern Beaches Mudcrabs best player in 2017, winning the Jago-Paniora Club Champion award. Johannesburg on Saturday, giving themselves seven days to acclimatise to the altitude. The team will move to Bloemfontein on Thursday.

“Physically, that’s probably going to be a huge challenge for a lot of the guys,” Beale said.

“It’s important we tick all those little things off, some of the guys have already been talking about that and making sure we’re all aware because those small things will make a big difference in making the right result in the end.”

Jockeys up in arms

THE Australian Jockeys’ Association is concerned the sport’s integrity could be compromised after Racing Victoria secured discretionary powers not to raise weights at final acceptances for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. Under new rules, Principal Racing Authorities such as RV have the option of maintaining original weights even if the topweight has less than 57kg at acceptance times in Group 1 races. In the past, weights were automatically raised to ensure there was a 57kg topweight. AJA chief executive Paul Innes has condemned the proposal, fearing champion jockeys such as Hugh Bowman, Damien Oliver and Ty Angland will be adversely affected. And he has flagged integrity issues as the AJA prepares to make formal submissions opposing the change. In a letter to Racing Australia’s Barry O’Farrell, Innes raised a series of issues, including integrity. “For example, a trainer who has five top-rated horses nominates all five with the intent of only starting the lowest rated of the five,” Innes wrote.

City clinch top spot

RAHEEM Sterling shone for City and Romelu Lukaku delivered for United as the Manchester clubs maintained their grip on the Premier League title race with victories yesterday. Sterling scored a brace as City crushed bottom club Crystal Palace 5-0 to go top on goal difference above United, who won 1-0 at Southampton courtesy of Lukaku’s first-half goal. Champions Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool all kept pace with the top two, putting the pressure on Arsenal, who host West Bromwich Albion tomorrow (AEST). “The first half we had problems as the ball must be moved and we didn’t move it,” said City manager Pep Guardiola.

Taylor snares award

JOSHUA Taylor from Innisfail United has not finished the season empty-handed, claiming the Premier Men’s Player of the Year honours at the FNQ Football presentation night. Around 150 people attended the awards at the Pullman Cairns International on Saturday night. Edge Hill striker Gabi Nichol won Player of the Year for the Premier Women. Southside’s Amy Walton was the Golden Boot, scoring 31 goals throughout the season.