Hodgo’s Origin berth in doubt
WAYNE Bennett insists he didn’t force axed Test star Justin Hodges to make the shock representative retirement call which could also cost him his beloved Maroons jumper.
Hodges is now fighting to save his Origin career, with Queensland selectors treating the battle- weary centre as a “week- by- week proposition”.
Australia selector Allan Smith yesterday outlined the reasons for Hodges’ Test omission, saying the national panel opted for present form over reputation and big- game experience.
That sentiment will extend to the Origin arena, with the next month of club football to determine whether Hodges staves off Will Chambers, the Test debutant who squeezed him out of the Australian side.
Hodges hopes to be picked for his 22nd Origin clash in Game One on May 27, but Chambers’ sizzling form has put the Maroons veteran firmly in the firing line.
“Justin has that perennial hamstring injury and it makes him a week- by- week proposition,” said Smith, the Maroons and Kangaroos selector.
“If ‘ Hodgo’ plays the next five weeks, he will be at the forefront of our minds, but there’s no guarantees ... we have to see how he pulls up.
“We are lucky to be in a situation where we have options.
“Origin is four weeks away so who knows what can hap-
Will is in outstanding form and he’s putting pressure on guys like Hodgo
SELECTOR ALLAN SMITH
pen between now and then, especially if we get a few injuries.
“But Will is in outstanding form and he’s putting pressure on guys like Hodgo ... if everyone is fit, we have a nice headache.”
Smith said Hodges’ surprise revelation last Saturday night that he will walk away from Queensland and Australia at season’s end had no bearing on his Anzac Test snubbing.
“It was interesting, I certainly didn’t see Hodgo’s announcement coming,” Smith said.
“But as a selection panel, form was the most important thing. “Justin has great experience, but Will Chambers has been outstanding.”
Bennett said at no stage did he compel Hodges to quit representative football to focus on his captaincy commitments with the Broncos..
“They ( players) know what they feel and where they are at,” Bennett said. “Champions don’t like failure, and this takes the pressure off Justin – he won’t have to double up next season so that will help him.”