Wallabies discovery Reece Hodge is embracing the challenge of bringing a hard edge to the Australian midfield for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup stoush with the All Blacks.
The five-Test rookie will partner Samu Kerevi in the centres after being shifted from the wing in one of four daring backline changes for the Wallabies.
Hodge has been super impressive since making his international debut in August, and Wallabies defence coach Nathan Grey said playing the 22-year-old at No.12 in a powerful Stirling Mortlock-like role made perfect sense.
“We’ve been trying guys in different combinations at training and trying to find the best ways to maximise the talents of the guys that we have,” Grey said.
“He’s got a lot of experience playing in that position at Super Rugby.
“He’s a big body, carries the ball very well and he’s got a good passing game that he uses, and he’s got good speed.
“All those attributes are very positive to have in a 12. He defends there at 12 anyway for us so he’s used to being in that environment.”
Hodge’s positional switch has forced Quade Cooper to the bench, with head coach Michael Cheika preferring to move Bernard Foley from the centres back to five-eighth.
Cheika said Hodge took his surprise “promotion” in his stride.
“As he’s always done: Like ‘you know, let’s move on to the next thing’. He’s one of those types,” Cheika said.
But the reigning international coach of the year insisted the reshuffle wasn’t only about the 10-12 axis.
With Henry Speight replacing Hodge on the wing, the backline has more balance with every player picked in their natural positions.
“The other part of this that isn’t immediately seen is the advent of bringing Henry into the team as well,” Cheika said.
“He brings a certain set of skills as well. He’s an out and out winger, an area where New Zealand is very strong.
“So he’s another piece of the puzzle too.”