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Greg Growden Chief Rugby Correspondent | June 3, 2009
MATT HODGSON has been given the most daunting of tasks c to confront the power and passion of Rocky Elsom and Phil Waugh in his first Wallabies appearance, against the Barbarians at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night.
Hodgson, the former Central Coast and Eastwood utility who moved to Perth three years ago to become the Western Force's blindside breakaway, was the bolter in the 29-man Wallabies squad, and yesterday the surprise addition in one of the smallest Australian back rows of recent times.
The 27-year-old has for some seasons been an industrious rather than spectacular player at Super 14 level, and has sometimes let himself down by making mistakes under pressure.
But Wallabies coach Robbie Deans was impressed with Hodgson's form and demeanour during the latter stages of this year's Super 14, when his physical presence saw him excel at the breakdown. The Force's back-row trio - Hodgson, Richard Brown and David Pocock - became one of the competition's most threatening combinations. That Hodgson has a good working relationship with Brown, the Wallabies No.8, worked in his favour at selection time.
In the one-on-one battle of the blindside breakaways on Saturday, Elsom at 197 centimetres will tower over Hodgson, who is 184cm, but at least at 100 kilograms the new Wallabies breakaway has the bulk.
Hodgson will also have to impress quickly, as both Elsom and Waugh are scheduled to rejoin the Wallabies squad shortly. While Waugh will return next week, Elsom's recall will depend on his committing to an Australian province next season, with the Brumbies the strong favourites to be his home base in 2010.
But there is no doubt that Elsom and Waugh will want to expose Hodgson's international inexperience this weekend.
Deans said it was up to the newcomer to avoid the jitters in his first major appearance. "This selection comes off the back of what Matt's done throughout Super rugby," Deans said yesterday. "He is perfectly equipped for what we're asking him to do. He is going to thrive. It revolves around him getting on with it, and that he doesn't get stage fright, because there's nothing there that should daunt him."
The omission of Lote Tuqiri was not a complete surprise considering Deans loves wingers with speed. The Waratahs winger failed to be prominent on a consistent basis in this year's Super 14.
The Waratahs' negative and often bewildering game plan, which focused too much on giving away possession through endless midfield kicking, and the inability of the NSW back line to give him good ball, worked against Tuqiri. On form, Deans had to go for Lachie Turner and Drew Mitchell.
While Turner and Mitchell showed greater initiative, Deans did concede that Tuqiri was probably the most impressive defender among the wingers available. But against the Barbarians, pace is a higher priority.
Meanwhile, James O'Connor's chance to start at fullback will be on hold until the coming two-match Italy Test series. Deans yesterday showed faith in Adam Ashley-Cooper, who was the team's regular No.15 last season. O'Connor will be used off the bench against the Barbarians, covering several positions.
A Wallabies Test against Fiji next month has been proposed, with the match pencilled in for July 25.
AUSTRALIA: Adam Ashley-Cooper; Lachie Turner, Stirling Mortlock (c), Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell; Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess; Richard Brown, George Smith, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Res: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Alexander, Dean Mumm, David Pocock, Josh Valentine, Quade Cooper, James O'Connor.
http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...708456212.html
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