This was published 7 years ago
Canberra Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson brings Super League tactic to NRL
By David Polkinghorne
It's a tactic taken from England's Super League looking to exploit Josh Hodgson's ability, and Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart believes it can give them a point of difference in the NRL.
When back-up hooker Kurt Baptiste comes on, Hodgson is shifting across to lock allowing the Raiders to utilise his passing and kicking game.
Canberra Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson has been moving across to lock to provide an extra attacking option.Credit: Cameron Spencer
It also gives them another attacking option in addition to halves pairing Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer.
He can also provide Baptiste a chop-out at dummy half to keep each other fresh, which could come in handy in the warmer Queensland weather when they take on the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday.
It's a tactic Hodgson used to employ with former Raider Lincoln Withers when they played together at Hull KR in the Super League.
Now Stuart is also using it to good effect to keep his hooker on the field for longer.
"It's been a part of our plan. It's a combination that works very well for our attack," Stuart said.
"Josh has done that before in England and Josh's ability as a utility player fitting in at half, lock, nine has been very constructive for the team.
"He's a wonderful player. He gives us a different point of attack when he does play in a lock or half position with Kurt on the field."
Hodgson is enjoying a brilliant season, with the England international currently sitting equal top of the Dally M leaderboard.
He's shown his versatility not only with his passing and running games, but also his kicking - producing several 40-20s at crucial times throughout the season.
"Just trying to keep a bit of pace around the middle with me and Kurt, just swapping and changing at dummy half if he's a bit tired, I'll jump in there and give it a set if I'm feeling alright," Hodgson said.
"I think it's a good tactic by [Stuart]. It's something I've done before in the Super League for a few years when Lincoln Withers used to come on for me.
"I'd go to loose forward and then he'd see out the game at hooker. It's something I've done a bit before and I think it's a good tactic."
It's a move that caught fullback Jack Wighton by surprise, although he felt it also took advantage of Hodgson's toughness.
"Not many of us knew, we were really surprised when they chucked him in lock and how well he went," he said.
"He's got the step, he's got the ball skills and everyone knows how tough he is. It's good to see Hodgo change it up in positions there sometimes."
Baptiste said it not only helped himself out, but both Austin and Sezer as well.
Hodgson is a self-described "sore loser" and Baptiste relishes the chance to play with someone he normally wouldn't if Hodgson wasn't staying on.
"Sometimes when I've come on he's gone into lock and he's played that ball-playing-lock role," Baptiste said.
"I think that helps out the halves as well because he gives a good pass for the halves. He's really versatile, he can play a lot of positions, Hodgo ... he can kick as well.
"It's good having him on there, I love playing with him. He's really competitive, that's what all the boys love about him. He always wants to win and when you have someone like him on the team it's really good."
NRL ROUND 16
Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium, 2pm. Live on Fox Sports 1.