Smith backs Hodgson to do well in new role
BUT FRIENDSHIP WILL BE FORGOTTEN IN NEXT SEASON’S DERBIES
HULL KR head coach Tony Smith expects Brett Hodgson to bring a calming influence to Hull FC – but insists the niceties will go out of the window when the two old friends meet in the derby.
FC’S new head coach played under Smith during his three-year spell with Warrington Wolves, while the pair also worked together at Parramatta Eels 20 years ago.
Hodgson will touch down in England this week after serving his apprenticeship with NRL club Wests Tigers, where he worked as an assistant as well as head coach of the club’s feeder team Western Suburb Magpies.
Since hanging up his boots in 2013, the former full-back has also gained experience in roles at Widnes Vikings and Hull as a coaching consultant.
Smith believes it was a natural progression for a man who helped set the standards at Warrington both on and off the field.
“He’s a good fella and has always had a good rugby brain,” he told the Mail.
“I’m not surprised about his appointment. He’ll do well.
“He’s got a good understanding of the game. He’s been coached by a lot of different coaches and as we go through our careers we learn the goods and not so goods of each one of them.
“Hodgey’s experience in that respect will be a good grounding for him.
“He was a terrific leader at Warrington and has always had a calmness about him, which I think most people admire about him.
“I don’t think he’ll be a ranter and raver. He’ll keep things pretty calm. I think he’s got a great manner to be a coach.”
Hodgson has been tasked with taking FC to the next level in Super League but he will be well aware of the rivalry in the city and the importance of claiming the bragging rights in the derby.
The next meeting between the great rivals is set to be on Good Friday in early April, when Hodgson will pit his wits against his former coach for the first time.
Smith will be looking to inflict some pain on Hodgson at the start of his tenure.
“That’ll be good,” said Smith as he looked ahead to the first derby of 2021. “We’ll cast our friendship aside on those occasions.
“I’d like to think we had a pretty good relationship all the way through the different stages that we worked together.
“We’ll keep a healthy respect when we’re working against each other but the friendliness goes out of the window for 80 minutes.”