KURTLEY BEALE HAS backed Reece Hodge’s ability as an outside centre for Australia as the Wallabies look to record a second straight win over New Zealand this Saturday.
With Samu Kerevi suffering a ruptured bicep in the wake of the Test series against Ireland, Hodge emerged as the front-runner for the number 13 shirt after Michael Cheika left Curtis Rona out of his squad for the Rugby Championship opener in Sydney.
The 23-year-old is not the only option in midfield, though, with Israel Folau also a possibility, but Beale believes Hodge – who scored the winning penalty against the All Blacks in October – should get the nod.
“Reece is obviously a very versatile player and I’m sure if given an opportunity will step up and do a fine job,” Beale said.
“Israel’s obviously played there during Super Rugby as well and I’m sure he’ll be able to get the job done as well.
“I’m pretty confident that whoever we put in that position they’ll be pretty keen to get out there and express themselves and get the job done for the team.”
Hodge remains in the dark about his chances and knows things could easily change in the coming days as Australia step up their preparations.
“There’s still a few guys in the squad who can play 13,” he said. ”Izzy’s [Folau] still an option as well.
“At the moment, throughout the preparation, the last few weeks have been about trying as many combinations we can to get comfortable playing next to everyone who’s in the squad and I think it’s going to be really important for us come game one.
Cheika’s still got a week to change his mind about selections, so who knows, but we’re prepared as best we can be for Saturday.”
Whoever starts for Australia will come up against an All Blacks side without Sonny Bill Williams, but Beale says that makes little difference given the strength in depth Steve Hansen has at his disposal.
“The All Blacks are a world class team, they’re the number one team in the world for a reason. Whoever they put in any position they step up and get the job done,” he added.
“The big focus has been on us at the moment. We’re well aware of the capabilities they’ll bring on the weekend, but we know that if we have a full focus on what we want to deliver out there that will allow us to get the result that we want.”
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Best of luck to him, hope he gets his career back on track…. He could be a great asset and option for our young Irish team with his experience. Good move going to Bournemouth, they’re going well and will be in the mix for promotion.
@Jerriko17: hope he does well but has prob 10 good games in an otherwise mediocre career. Honesty he disappointed me cos I though he would come out good.
@Martin Glynn: he’s not impressed with Marty Glynn either I’ve heard!
@Jerriko17: all good, but he has to make the team, sitting on the bench no good.
Don’t see him as first choice for Ireland at this stage,but he adds a bit of experience to the squad and offers a decent option wide on the left of midfield
@Lesidees: where did it all go wrong for him?
@Ciaran O’Mara: injuries and a negative style of play at Burnley. Hopefully he can kick on from here for a few more years.
Last chance saloon.
At 29yrs of age he should be playing his best football now, up to him what he makes of this chance. Never fulfilled his potential.
Strikes me as someone who lives on few past glories.. Little desire to push on and create new glories and better himself as a player. Very injury prone too, which isn’t his fault of course to be fair
@Nigel o’Neill: could not agree more. Does not get involved in the game . A bit similar to Hourihane
Too late for him.
There is reason nobody wanted to sign him
Great to see