Wallaby Hodge’s big development put to the test against Japan
>> TOKYO: Australia utility back Reece Hodge has barely put a foot wrong since his debut 14 months ago but even the confident 23-year-old could scarcely have imagined he would be named the team’s starting flyhalf against Japan today.
With the versatile Adam AshleyCooper now plying his trade overseas, Melbourne Rebels’ Hodge has become Australian rugby’s new “Mr. Fixit” and takes the No.10 jersey at Yokohama in the absence of an ill Bernard Foley.
Coach Michael Cheika has declined to bring Quade Cooper or another specialist flyhalf in his tour squad, instead relying on 20-Test Hodge and Kurtley Beale to handle the playmaking duties between them if called upon.
Cheika probably never envisaged Foley being struck down before the first match, however, endangering the precious momentum the side has built in their unbeaten run of six matches.
Hodge has stepped up as flyhalf for the Rebels in Super Rugby on occasion but has never started in the position in his two seasons with the Melbourne side.
Teamed up with second-choice scrumhalf Nick Phipps, who has replaced the injured Will Genia, Hodge faces a stiff test of composure against a Japan side desperate to perform in front of home fans two years out from hosting the 2019 World Cup.
“I think Nardy’s [Foley] played 80 minutes in every game since then [August], so I haven’t really had the chance since then but I guess I have had to be prepared,” Hodge said in Yokohama.
“Now it’s just about me stepping into the job and performing it as Nardy would love me to do, if he wasn’t sick.”
Hodge stepped into a different job against the All Blacks in Brisbane last month, taking the kicking duties from Foley late in the game after the regular flyhalf missed a string of kicks.
Hodge would slot a penalty from a tight angle in the 63rd minute and then a second with three minutes left, a 55-metre bomb that easily cleared the crossbar.
The last kick gave the Wallabies breathing space on the way to a richly deserved 23-18 win over the world champions.