Hodges on brink of recall for Kangaroos

AUSTRALIAN selectors have given Justin Hodges hope of ending his two- year Test exile as a staggering 10 Kangaroos jumpers go on the line for the Anzac Test against the Kiwis.

The Kangaroos hierarchy held a teleconference yesterday to discuss the prospect of a major selection shake- up before the squad’s naming on Sunday for the Test showdown at Suncorp Stadium on Friday week.

Australia’s Four Nations defeat last November, coupled with the return from injury of several big- name stars, has put many Kangaroos incumbents in the firing line.

Maroons trio Daly CherryEvans, Josh Papalii and Sam Thaiday are fighting to retain their starting spots.

Bench quartet Ben Hunt, Josh Jackson, David Klemmer and Boyd Cordner are in danger of being axed from the Australian side that lost last year’s Four Nations decider to the Kiwis.

At least 10 green- and- gold guernseys are up for grabs.

Hodges is battling hamstring tightness but Test selector Des Morris says Hodges will be considered regardless of his availability for the Broncos in Saturday night’s clash against the Eels.

“In Justin’s case, he has a great representative record so he doesn’t have to prove anything more. We know what he’s capable of but we need to see how he is physically,” Morris said.

Other big guns set for a recall include forwards Matt Scott and Paul Gallen, and Johnathan Thurston whose return at five- eighth could push Cherry- Evans to the bench or out of the squad entirely.

“We will have a very good side, a lot of the guys who missed the Four Nations are coming back,” Morris said.