Rugby Championship: Wallabies back Reece Hodge preparing for Bok backlash in Sydney clash
Reece Hodge of the Wallabies and Warrick Gelant of the Springboks compete for the ball during the Rugby Championship Test match between the Australian Wallabies and the South African Springboks at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Saturday, August 27, 2022. (AAP Image/Matt Turner) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY ** STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE, NO BOOKS **
Australia utility back Reece Hodge insists that South Africa will play with some “serious fire in their belly” during their next clash in Sydney.
Dave Rennie’s men condemned the Springboks to their second consecutive defeat following a thoroughly deserved 25-17 triumph in Adelaide.
It was the perfect response from the Wallabies, who themselves were reeling after going down to a record 48-17 loss to Argentina in Round Two.
Australia reside in second position in the Rugby Championship table, level on points with Los Pumas, and will be looking to boost their title aspirations further this weekend.
But Hodge knows the threat the Boks will bring and is anticipating a big response from Jacques Nienaber’s charges on Saturday.
No complacency
“They’re going to come out with some serious fire in their belly in Sydney,” he told reporters.
“We’re always expecting them to come out firing and we’re definitely not complacent in any sense of the word.
“I think everyone’s excited by that challenge and especially at a brand new stadium in Sydney that none of us have played at before in front of a parochial crowd.”
Hodge, Australia’s very own Swiss army knife, was once again impressive, playing a key part in Saturday’s win.
He was crucial to their first victory of the Rugby Championship, coming on at fly-half to guide them to a triumph over Argentina, before featuring at full-back in Adelaide.
“I’m just happy with the way that I played my role,” he said. “We’ve got a job to do and back it up next Saturday.
“I don’t really like talking about myself too much.
“I’d rather just talk about the team win and if I can play a role in that and do my job, then I’m happy.”
Accuracy
Hodge doesn’t mind where he plays but wants to be involved in next year’s World Cup and knows where he needs to improve.
“In the past, my accuracy has let me down a little bit in different aspects in my game,” he added.
“I’m almost as hard a marker on myself as anyone and I want nothing more than to be playing consistent Test rugby.
“I strive to be better every day and perform and, more importantly, be someone that my mates can trust out on the field.”
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