Phil Wilkins | July 4, 2009

WALLABIES squad back-rower Matt Hodgson always knew he was between a rock and a cliff face, somewhere on the brink as opposed to the security of his long-term Australian teammates, Rocky Elsom and Wycliff Palu.

But that gust of wind from Perth was not the Fremantle Doctor this week. It was a sigh of relief from Hodgson that coach Robbie Deans had kept faith with him.

The 28-year-old Hodgson was entitled to think that with Elsom (bruised knee) and Palu (broken hand) returning after injury to the squad for the Tri Series against New Zealand and South Africa, he would be one of the
luckless to be shouldered aside.

When the early morning phone call never came for him from the Australian Rugby Union, it was with understand able desperation Hodgson turned on his television.
To his relief he found his name among the 30 players on his Foxtel channel.

"I think Robbie has done that to keep the boys on their toes,'' Hodgson said.
Coach Deans has a stable of thoroughbreds to choose from for the back row against New Zealand in Auckland on July 18.

Three starting back-rowers plus perhaps two bench players will be needed at Eden Park from no less than nine candidates: George Smith, Phil Waugh, Richard Brown, Dean Mumm, David Pocock, Peter Kimlin, Elsom, Palu and Hodgson.

There is no more fiercely competitive branch of the Australian team. A pack of jackals fighting for bones would not have worse manners. Hodgson could laugh at the battles over the ball in the months ahead.

"Australia has a great back row,'' he said.

"There are players who can fill one or two different back-row positions so it is quite tough. But the importance of the breakdown in today's game makes it vital to have a strong squad of back-rowers who can go into each game to win the ball.''

The Western Force's John Mitchell was one of the first to realise the significance of the ELVs (experimental law variations) and the importance of ball-winning mobility, selecting the former specialist open-side No.7

Hodgson as a 100 kilogram swift-striking, blindside flanker or No.8,
concerned only with his break down value.

Asked about the recent practice of fielding three open-siders in the back row late in representative games, Hodgson said: "It's great, especially when games are tight.

"In that last period where teams are coming under fatigue, it's essential to have players with speed to get to the breakdown and win that vital turnover ball. It's the way the game is headed.''


Since Hodgson won his first Australian gold jumper against the Barbarians at the Sydney Football Stadium on June 6, he has agonised about whether Deans would remember him for more than incurring an injury.

Just before half-time in the Barbarians game, Hodgson was tackled from behind, fell awkwardly and had another defender land heavily on him, displacing the AC joint of his right shoulder.

He hunched off, disappointed and frustrated. Fortunately, there have been no complications in his rehabilitation.

Even harder was his night before the Tri Nations squad was
announced.
"I was pretty restless, a bit impatient, wondering all night if I'd get the call,
wondering if I'd make it or not ...''

He never received the phone call and his mind kept focusing on two back-rowers he admires immensely Palu, with whom he spent two years at Manly club and Elsom, with whom he trained and played for two seasons as a Waratah.

Time is short for Hodgson. He flies to Sydney for a three-day camp in Manly, moves into his flat and plays his first game for Eastern Suburbs next Saturday, then will join the Wallabies to prepare for the game at Eden Park.

And so to that Australian jumper hanging in his cupboard it's the right shade of gold and the Australian coat of arms dominates the chest. All it lacks is a number, the official number of the Australian player who wore it in a Test.

Hodgson has played Sevens for Australia as well as Australia A against Japan in Tokyo last year but he still has to play an official Test. He has the number on his back. Now he wants the Test number embroidered on his chest.

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