Hodgson ruled out for Wallabies

[MI5_Dog]

Wallabies backrower Matt Hodgson has been ruled out of the Tri-Nations opener against South Africa.

AAP © Enlarge photo

The Wallabies have been forced to make a late change ahead of their Tri-Nations opener against South Africa with back-rower Matt Hodgson ruled out.

Hodgson, selected on the Australian bench, succumbed to a groin injury on Thursday after suffering a minor strain at training on Tuesday.

Western Force teammate Ben McCalman has replaced him in the reserves to be poised to make his Test debut at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

Hodgson failed to start for the Wallabies in their four June Tests but has been a fixture on the bench and could have played a key ball-pilfering role in the second half against the big Springboks back-row.

Starting openside flanker David Pocock is seen as Australia's "point of difference" player by the Wallabies coaching staff due to his scavenging skills at the breakdown.

Hodgson, a spectator at Australia's Thursday morning training session at Ballymore, is slightly more versatile but comes from the same mould as Pocock.

The Wallabies are confident he'll be fit and available for next week's Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks in Melbourne.

"Matt did it very late running in Tuesday's session and we ran him but (to no avail)," said coach Robbie Deans

"Benny's got a good handle on what's required and he doesn't want for any willingness."

McCalman was plucked from Sydney club rugby last year to travel with the Wallabies on their Grand Slam tour before impressing in his debut Super 14 season with the Force this year.

He's been preferred to Queensland flanker Scott Higginbotham, who is working his way back from an ankle injury, due largely to his greater match fitness.
McCalman, who can play No.8 or blindside flanker, was one of the best Australian Barbarians players in their two midweek matches against England last month and has more rugby under his belt than.

---------- Post added at 10:33 ---------- Previous post was at 10:33 ----------

Bad news for Hodgo, great news for McCalman

[jono]

That's just so bittersweet!
Posted via Mobile Device

[The InnFORCEr]

Bad luck Matty, chin up and we'll see you next week

All the best to Ben for Saturday!

[Burgs]

Agreed Jono.
Absolute bummer for Matt, starting to be the Lachie MacKay of the Wallabies.
Delighted that Ben is going to get a run though, one of the few really "brave" selections of the Deans era and I think he will be rewarded for making it.

[palitu]

i want to smote the new article... poor bloke

[mudskipper]

Wallabies really need his work rate...

[Sheikh]

Desperately bad luck for Matty. Put it behind you and smash the ABs next week! Just remember - we still love you!

[Thequeerone]

Hope Matt gets better soon
Onya Ben what a start to his career

[GIGS20]

Go Benny H, shame to see it at the expense of a real hard charger like Hodgeo.

I think he'll be a good match for the Boks in a very different way to Hodgeo. Hard as hell, straight runner, a partner for Sharpie in bending the line every time we get the ball. as for Defence, well he won't get the pilfers that Hodgeo would but he'll surely put some questions in the mind of the Boks over whether they want to enter the ruck