Reece filling Wallabies’ back-up role
JAMIE PANDARAM REECE Hodge is ready to step into the Wallabies No.10 role during the Bledisloe Cup.
With Michael Cheika ignoring Quade Cooper and Jonno Lance for the campaign, Bernard Foley is the only fulltime five-eighth in the squad.
And a two-month injury to centre Karmichael Hunt – who spent much time at first receiver during the June series – leaves only Kurtley Beale and Hodge as genuine contenders for the five-eighth role if Foley is injured.
“I grew up playing 10 all my life, until I was 20, I played 10 for Aussie under-20s, and it was only really after I came back from injury and put a bit of size on that I was shifted out to 12,” Hodge said.
“Even that year at Manly I played a bit of 10 as well.
“I think the more experience I get in training, and if I have to play it in a game, the more confident I will be.
“But it’s not like I’m being thrown in the deep end because it’s somewhere I’ve grown up playing and I’m confident in that role.
“It’s just about flicking a switch in your head that this is where I need to play for the team now, and I need to be the dominant playmaker rather than second fiddle.
“Whatever happens, happens. But I will be confident if I get called up.”
As seen in the first Bledisloe Cup match last year, when centres Matt Giteau, Matt Toomua and Rob Horne suffered serious injuries within the first 37 minutes against the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium, setbacks to the midfield can cause havoc.
Australia lost 42-8 and were forced to recall Cooper to the starting side for the next match, shifting Foley to centre, and coincidentally giving Hodge his Test debut off the bench in Wellington.
Hodge, 22, has played fiveeighth for Melbourne but has slotted across various positions for the Rebels and the Wallabies in his 13 Tests.
“I’ve got to be prepared to play wherever I can in the backline,” Hodge said.
“Whether I start at 10, 11 or 12, 13, I could be shifted out to the wing, shift in, it’s definitely just perfecting my skill set in each of those positions and making sure I make that switch in my head that I know I’m playing this position, I need to do this for the team, and make sure I nail my role down.”