Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has explained his decision to entrust his defence to Brett Hodgson despite the former NRL star’s relative lack of experience in rugby.
Hodgson has signed on a two-year contract as Wallabies defence coach and becomes the first major piece of Jones’ Rugby World Cup support staff puzzle.
Hodgson, 45, played 351 games in the NRL and England’s Super League and represented NSW in six State of Origin games.
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He then started a dual code coaching career in 2012, working with Sale Sharks, Hull FC and Wests Tigers before joining Jones with England last year.
“Anyone who’s watched rugby league will know that he was a fine player and he played well above his weight and was good enough to play State of Origin,” Jones said on his podcast Eddie.
“We’ve been in contact for maybe the last four or five years. And I think he’s going to bring something a little bit different in defence for the Wallabies.”
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Jones then further explained why he regularly targets ex-league players as his assistant coaches.
“Rugby union is like rugby league with a contest at every play, for the ball and a contest at every restart. The phase part of the game, league and union is very similar, in that we’re trying to get the ball forward as quickly as we can.
“And the opposition’s trying to stop you getting the ball forward. So the league guys have been honed in that area of the game and their ability to see the detail of the game is higher than a rugby coach. And I think they just bring a different perspective to what we’ve been doing.”
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JONES ON TOM LYNAGH AND QUADE COOPER…
“We saw young Tom Lynagh play for Queensland on the weekend, did some great things.
“Raced back, picked up a ball, bounced out of three tackles and got his team back on the front foot. Worked hard in defence, didn’t get many attacking opportunities, but he’s definitely a player of promise.
“And so those young 10s, they experience difficulty at the start of their careers, but to get the best out of them, you’ve got to back them and it’s one of those difficult decisions for coaches on how to back a young 10. Because when you put a young 10 in, you’re going to lose some games. They almost learn through failure. Quade Cooper’s another example. We had him in Queensland, first year, I think we won two games.
“Then four years later, he’s the best 10 in Super Rugby and has gone on to have a wonderful career. There’s still a bit more in the tank there if Quade’s listening.
“Ten is the most difficult position in the game at the moment. It probably always has been, but now with the line speed it’s harder than it’s ever been.
“The 10 is under constant pressure. So it’s that difficult decision for the coach… you’ve got to keep playing and take a bit of pain.”
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JONES ON THE WARATAHS…
“Maybe they were a little bit emotionally overcooked for their first game.
“That’s always a difficult game against the Brumbies, you know, both teams, as we spoke about last week, probably don’t like each other that much.
“It’s the first game, you’ve had four months and expectation in New South Wales is high.
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“There’s a lot of hype around and they get into the game, they’re excited about the game, they’ve had a great prep, and then it doesn’t work out that well for them…
“So they get deflated and then it’s hard for them to come back after that.
“But I think what we saw in the last 10 or 15 minutes where they basically let go of trying to be perfect and just played the game with a bit of intent.”
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