Versatile Wallabies back Reece Hodge ready to play five-eighth in Bledisloe Cup against All Blacks

IF there is a repeat of the injury crisis from last year’s Bledisloe opener, Reece Hodge will find himself at No.10 for the Wallabies — and he is more than ready.

REECE Hodge is ready to step into the Wallabies No.10 role during the Bledisloe Cup.

With Michael Cheika ignoring Quade Cooper and Jonno Lance for the campaign, Bernard Foley is the only full-time five-eighth in the squad.

And a two-month injury to centre Karmichael Hunt — who spent much time at first receiver during the June series — leaves only Kurtley Beale and Hodge as genuine contenders for the five-eighth role if Foley is injured.

“I grew up playing 10 all my life, until I was 20, I played 10 for Aussie under-20s, and it was only really after I came back from injury and put a bit of size on that I was shifted out to 12,” Hodge said.

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“Even that year at Manly I played a bit of 10 as well.

“I think the more experience I get in training, and if I have to play it in a game, the more confident I will be.

Reece Hodge celebrates scoring for Australia against Italy in Brisbane last month.

“But it’s not like I’m being thrown in the deep end because it’s somewhere I’ve grown up playing and I’m confident in that role.

“It’s just about flicking a switch in your head that this is where I need to play for the team now, and I need to be the dominant playmaker rather than second fiddle.

“Whatever happens, happens. But I will be confident if I get called up.”

As seen in the first Bledisloe of last year, when centres Matt Giteau, Matt Toomua and Rob Horne suffered serious injuries within the first 37 minutes against the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium, injuries to the midfield can cause havoc.

Australia lost 42-8 and were forced to recall Cooper to the starting side for the next match, shifting Foley to centre, and coincidentally giving Hodge his Test debut off the bench in Wellington.

Hodge, 22, has played five-eighth for Melbourne but has slotted across various positions for the Rebels and the Wallabies in his 13 Tests.

Reece Hodge at Wallabies training.

“I’ve got to be prepared to play wherever I can in the backline, obviously since I’ve come into the Wallabies’ fold I’ve played anywhere from 11 to 15 at some point,” Hodge said.

“The preparation doesn’t change, whether I’m starting, on the bench or not even in the squad, I’ve always got to be prepared to play whatever role the team needs me to.

“Whether I start at 10, 11 or 12, 13, I could be shifted out to the wing, shift in, it’s definitely just perfecting my skillet in each of those positions and making sure I make that switch in my head that I know I’m playing this position, I need to do this for the team, and make sure I nail my role down.”

Hodge could not definitively say what he believes is his best position.

“It really depends on the style of game, I know it’s a diplomatic answer but depending on which team we’re playing, which style of game we want to play, it could be 12, it could be 13, it could be wing in attack and centre in defence,” Hodge said.

“Even that 10 position as well if we want to play more of a kicking game.

“It’s about being really clear at the start of each week about what that role is and working hard to ensure that come game time, I can narrow my focus and play that role for the team.”

Hodge feels a more accomplished player since making his international debut.

“The way you learn is through experience, definitely having the Tests last year and the June series has helped my confidence, I feel like I belong at this level,” he said.

“I’m pretty excited coming into this campaign, as we all are, to hopefully turn around what has been a tough last 12 months.”