Rodda set for Super Rugby return
Izack Rodda’s stop-start career at the Western Force is about to get the green light once again, with the experienced Wallaby set to make his return to Super Rugby.
The Roar understands the 27-year-old will come off the bench against the Crusaders on Saturday evening. Confirmation is expected soon, with Kurtley Beale a strong chance to make his return to Super Rugby via the bench too.
It will be the 2019 World Cup squad member’s first minutes of the year, having been a late withdrawal from their round one side with a quad injury.
Although it was hoped he would miss only around a month, Rodda ultimately missed the Force’s opening seven matches of the year. The injury continued a frustrating 18 months for the Wallabies lock, who has been troubled by consecutive foot injuries which cruelled his hopes of featuring in a second straight World Cup campaign. It led to him managing just 76 minutes on the field in 2023.
His absence has been felt at the Force, with Simon Cron forced to turn to all corners of the globe to shore up his second-row stocks. Indeed, only last month Cron pounced on the services of Sam
Carter from Leicester, while he previously lured over for New Zealand veteran Tom Franklin.
It’s not just experience Cron will be adding by being able to finally call on the services of Rodda but one of the best locks in Australia.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt will be tracking Rodda’s progress closely, with the second-row an area that Australian rugby is light on.
After all, last year Eddie Jones’ preferred starting second-row was Will Skelton and Richie Arnold.
But given both giants ply their trade in France, and Schmidt’s stated desire to look within rather than call up players from overseas, it’s likely the Wallabies will have a new look to their pack this year.
Rodda very much fits the bill of a Schmidt lock, with the 202cm second-rower a ruck hitter and setpiece specialist.