Results 1 to 3 of 3

Thread: Hodgson Test recall earned with Force

  1. #1
    Champion
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    home
    Posts
    2,066
    vCash
    5106000

    Hodgson Test recall earned with Force

    Nick Taylor The West Australian
    September 3, 2014, 7:08 am

    Western Force captain Matt Hodgson's remarkable year has been capped with selection for the Wallabies clash with South Africa at Patersons Stadium on Saturday night.

    The veteran flanker's irresistible Super Rugby form, where he topped the competition tackle and turnover count, earned him a recall three years after his last appearance, against the Springboks in the 39-20 win in Sydney.

    Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie said Hodgson, who has six international caps, was a game changer who would create pressure in areas lacking in the 51-20 loss to the All Blacks last month.

    "He's the sort of guy that can actually change the game. He can really add something at the back end of the game," McKenzie said.

    "Matt's been fantastic all season on the ball.

    "When everyone's getting a bit tired and a bit slow he'll add a bit of tempo to the contest.

    "He's been one of the most consistent players going and we know how effective he was at the breakdown in terms of putting on pressure and forcing turnovers.

    "In terms of creating pressure we didn't do that so well last time across the game.

    "We weren't able to get too much momentum so we need to have different tools available to us across 80 minutes to keep the pressure on and keep them honest."

    Hodgson, 34, a Force found-ation player, three-times player-of-the-year and the first to play 100 Super games for the club, was named on the reserves bench with Force teammate Pek Cowan.

    McKenzie praised Hodgson's work ethic and commitment.

    "Matt has been the ultimate team member," McKenzie said.

    "I know he'll be really hungry.

    "He's done everything he could possibly do without actually getting on the field.

    "He'll go out and make the most of the opportunity because probably deep down he wasn't sure whether he was going to get another crack.

    "He'll really treasure the moment."

    McKenzie has reunited NSW halves Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps, with Kurtley Beale and Nic White dropped to the bench.

    Adam Ashley Cooper has been moved to the wing, Tevita Kuridrani is at outside centre and James Hanson starts at hooker.

    Second-row James Horwill returns to a bench with a 6-2 forwards-backs split to take on the traditionally strong Springboks pack.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  2. #2
    Immortal GIGS20's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Rockingham
    Posts
    20,508
    vCash
    1296000
    Look i don't want to labour the point, but (The ideal word to enable me to go ahead and do exactly what I just said I wouldn't do)

    This article is basically saying that Hodgeo is a great selection because he will go out there and DO AN OPENSIDE FLANKER'S JOB!!!!!!!

    Why not name him as the starting openside instead of a smug, self-important cream puff who seagulls better than Scott Higginbotham? The changes made are necessary, but still fall short of what is needed. The pack hasn't been changed and they were WOEFUL against the Blik, they will probably fare a little better against the Bokke, but not because they've improved, just because the Saffers focus on different things with their pack and we won't need to be as good in every area.

    It'll be a win, which will justify benching Beale and White, but it won't be an improvement, and that will be found out when we meet the AllBlacks in Brisbane and get stomped in our own kitchen.

    4 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    C'mon the

  3. #3
    Champion MI5_Dog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Rockingham
    Posts
    1,728
    vCash
    5000000
    It's going to be persisting down on Saturday making for a heavy track and a lot of hard work for the piggies.
    going for the 6-2 split on the bench is the way to go.
    They'll be knackered after the first 10 minutes.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

Similar Threads

  1. France recall captain for Wallabies Test
    By The InnFORCEr in forum International Rugby
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 14-06-14, 21:21
  2. HODGSON IN LINE FOR TEST DEBUT
    By RugbyWA in forum News Feeds
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 01-06-10, 12:40
  3. O'Connor: I have earned my spot
    By travelling_gerry in forum James O'Connor
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 27-10-09, 19:37
  4. Replies: 6
    Last Post: 20-03-09, 15:27
  5. Force stars earn Wallabies recall in England
    By travelling_gerry in forum Western Force
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 12-11-08, 17:39

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •