North Queensland are wary of Canberra hooker Josh Hodgson close to tryline

North Queensland have identified one of Canberra’s livewire players as the danger man in tomorrow evening’s Round 4 clash in Townsville.

North Queensland have identified hooker Josh Hodgson as Canberra’s danger man on Saturday in Townsville.

The Cowboys hope to avoid a third successive loss as they seek to improve their defensive effort against the Raiders.

North Queensland coach Paul Green has gone back to basics at training, with particular focus on improving his side’s try-line defence to counter Canberra’s ability to break tackles close to the line.

Livewire rake Hodgson has been Canberra’s danger man, having set up three of his side’s eight tries so far this NRL season.

Hodgson in action during the Round 3 Canberra Raiders and Newcastle Knights match at GIO Stadium. Photo: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images

Cowboys veteran Matt Scott said his side needed to shut down Hodgson’s ability to create tries from dummy half.

“Canberra have a big pack and guys who are really good around the tryline,” Scott said.

“I think Hodgson’s one of the best dummy-half’s in the game at the moment and when he’s got guys like Josh Papalii running close to the ruck on the line, we need to get bodies in front.”

North Queensland were let down by a defensive slump last Saturday night, missing 21 tackles and conceding six line breaks during their 42-16 loss to Cronulla.

North Queensland Cowboy Matt Scott at 1300Smiles Stadium. Picture: Evan Morgan

Cowboys back-rower Coen Hess said his team had to avoid “fading out” tomorrow.

“You’ve got a guy like Josh Hodgson who can sniff out where an opportunity is,” Hess said.

“I think all over the field, we’ll get tested, especially down the edges for myself. If (Hodgson) can get out and sense that we’re a bit lazy or we’re not back ready in time, they’ll pounce on that.

“If we can be good in those little effort plays, especially in the heat up here, they’ll go a long way.

“For me personally, I think I just need to stay in the game for 80 minutes. I probably fade in and out of games so I think for myself, I need to put in an 80-minute performance. I think I just need to be consistent for the 80 minutes.”

Young gun Jake Clifford said Canberra’s backline also posed a threat, particularly fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.

“I’ve seen he’s been playing quite well,” Clifford said.

“They’ve got some good Pommy backrowers that are very hard runners of the ball. Then they have some strike out wide with (Nick) Cotric, (Jordan) Rapana and (Joey) Leilua.

“They’re going to be a very physical team and someone we’re going to enjoy coming up against.”