Justin Hodges

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Justin Hodges
Personal information
Nickname Hodgo[1]
Born (1982-05-25) 25 May 1982
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Height 190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight 99 kg (15 st 8 lb)
Playing information
Position Centre, Wing, Fullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2000–01 Brisbane Broncos 17 6 0 0 24
2002–04 Sydney Roosters 58 26 0 0 104
2005– Brisbane Broncos 139 62 1 0 254
Total 214 94 1 0 382
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2002–13 Queensland 18 5 0 0 20
2006–13 Australia 13 4 0 0 16
2012 Indigenous All Stars 1 0 0 0 0
Source: RLP
Justin Hodges (born 25 May 1982 in Cairns, Queensland) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League and as of 2014 is one of two Co-Captains. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative centre, he started his career with Brisbane before moving to the Sydney Roosters, with whom he won the 2002 NRL Premiership. Hodges later returned to the Broncoss, with whom he won the 2006 NRL Premiership.

Brisbane Broncos

2000

Hodges made his first grade debut for the Brisbane Broncos against the Canberra Raiders. In his debut, Hodges played exceptionally well, saving two tries in a losing Broncos team.[2] Hodges only played 5 games for the Broncos in his debut season.[3]

2001

Hodges was promoted to the full-time NRL team for the Broncos in 2001, however only played in 12 games for the club.[3] The Broncos failed to re-sign Hodges before the 30 June tampering date, which was to prevent other clubs taking players from other clubs. Justin then signed a three-year deal with the Sydney Roosters. Feeling betrayed by his defection,[4] Broncos coach Wayne Bennett told Hodges that his services were no longer required and pushed him back to the Broncos' feeder club, the Toowoomba Clydesdales.[5]

Sydney Roosters

2002

Hodges signed with the Sydney Roosters for the 2002 NRL season. At the end of that season he played at centre in the Roosters' 2002 NRL Grand Final victory against the New Zealand Warriors. During his stint at the Roosters, Hodges made headlines for all the wrong reasons, which included a disastrous State of Origin debut where he threw two in goal passes which turned into tries for the opposing team (although Queensland won that match),[6] and being punched by then Bronco Casey McGuire in a preliminary final against his current club .[7]

2003

Having won the 2002 NRL Premiership, the Roosters traveled to England to play the 2003 World Club Challenge against Super League champions, St Helens RLFC. Hodges played at centre in Sydney's victory. Hodges played in the first ten games for the Roosters scoring eight tries, but injury ruled him out of the entire season after that.[3]

In the second Origin game, Hodges suffered a serious knee injury. Hodges damaged the cruciate ligament in his left knee early in the second half of the match. The game was played at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium and Hodges considered legal action against the stadium for the poor state in which the surface was in. However, Hodges decided not to take legal action against Suncorp Stadium.[8]

2004

In early 2004, Hodges broke up with his long-time girlfriend and was given two weeks sympathy leave from the Roosters.[9] He caused further disruption to the Roosters when he missed a training session and club functions to spend time with his friends and family. Subsequently, coach Ricky Stuart put Hodges into the lower grade premier league.[10][11] Hodges however, made it back into the first grade Roosters team. In round 12 he scored a hat trick against the New Zealand Warriors in a match the Roosters won 58-6 but the following week he was sent off for a high shot on Bulldogs and Queensland teammate Steve Price. He was subsequently suspended for several weeks.

In mid 2004, Hodges went to Brisbane to talk to Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett to seek a return to the Broncos. This was approved by Roosters boss Brian Canavan, but Roosters coach Stuart did not know that Hodges wanted a release from the club.[11] After several off-field incidents, Hodges was expected to leave the Roosters mid season and go to the Broncos, but the Broncos did not want this.[10] At the end of the season Hodges played for the Roosters at centre in their 2004 NRL grand final loss against cross-Sydney rivals, the Bulldogs.[12]

Return to the Broncos

2005

After the feud between coach Bennett and Hodges earlier in 2001, some critics felt that Hodges would not be able to fit well into the Broncos team. But during an off season camp, Hodges and Bennett sorted things out and all Hodges wanted to do was play rugby league. Hodges stated that he did not regret going to Sydney, but felt it was time to go home back to Brisbane.[13] Former Brisbane Broncos captain Gorden Tallis backed Hodges return to the Broncos, despite some fans questioning the merits in which Hodges returned.[14]

With Hodges returning, it caused a problem for the Broncos. They had three centres in which only two could play there. Hodges, Shaun Berrigan and Brent Tate all were contenders for the two centre positions.[15] For the early rounds of 2005, Hodges was forced to play on the wing, with Tate and Berrigan the centres.[16] When Brent Tate suffered a shoulder injury, Hodges was able to play in his preferred position of centre.[17]

Hodges had ligament damage in his right knee, and missed two weeks as a result, but returned for the Broncos final match. The Broncos were knocked out of the finals, after losing seven straight matches.[16][18]

2006

In 2006 Hodges started the season playing in the centre position and continued to play there for the first 10 rounds of the competition. However injury plagued him over the next 10 rounds, only playing one game for the Broncos in those rounds.[16] Despite this, Hodges was selected to play for Queensland in the first two games of their 2006 State of Origin series win, the first of what would become a record consecutive run. In the second game when he intercepted a NSW pass and ran 85 metres to score a try.[19]

However, injury sidelined him for over 3 weeks including the 3rd State of Origin match, before he made his return against the North Queensland Cowboys, a game that the Broncos lost 26–10.[20] The Bronco's form continued to slide, until coach Wayne Bennett moved Hodges from the centres to fullback, in place of injured team mate Karmichael Hunt. The team cast off their slump and made it into the 2006 NRL grand final, Hodges' fourth in five seasons. Facing minor premiers Melbourne Storm, Hodges was selected to play at fullback. In the 20th minute, off the back of a skillful Lockyer inside pass, Hodges scored a try and Brisbane went on to win the grand final 15–8.[21]

At the end of 2006, Hodges went on to play for Australia in the Tri-Nations Series, He scored one try against Great Britain and played in the final match against New Zealand, which Australia won.[16][22]

2007

Due to Broncos winning the grand final, Hodges, along with the Broncos team, travelled to England to play the 2007 World Club Challenge. Hodges played in the centres for the trial match against the Crusaders, which they won 32–6. Hodges scored an intercept try just before halftime, in the trial match.[23] In the World Club Challenge, against St Helens RLFC, the Broncos lost the game 18–14.[24]

With Karmichael Hunt playing in the halves, Hodges was moved to fullback for the first two rounds of the 2007 NRL premiership. When Hunt was showing poor form in the halves he was moved back to fullback, and Hodges was forced back into the centres for Round 3. In that round, Hodges equalled the Broncos' club record of four tries in a match.[16]

Hodges was again selected for the ANZAC Test, and played in the centres. He also played in all three games for Queensland in the 2007 State of Origin series. Hodges scored one try in the third game and Queensland won the series 2–1.[16] Despite being sidelined for several weeks due to a knee injury, Hodges finished the season as the Broncos' top try-scorer.

2008

Hodges played in the opening match of the 2008 State of Origin series, which would be Queensland's third title win in a row. In August 2008, Hodges was named in the preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup,[25][26] and in October 2008 he was selected in the final 24-man Australia squad.[27]

On 14 October. Hodges was ruled out of the World Cup after finding he needed shoulder surgery and faces up to six months in recovery.

Hodges showed his true toughness in Round 26 against the Newcastle Knights by taking to the field despite having a severe eye infection and an undisclosed illness.

2009

He was selected for Australia in the one-off test match against New Zealand on 8 May 2009.[28]

In April 2009, he was named in the preliminary 25-man squad to play for Queensland in the opening game of the 2009 State of Origin series,[29] and was subsequently picked at centre for the opening State of Origin match.[30] He injured his leg during the first half, and whilst on the sideline for the remainder of the match, New South Wales scored all their tries, which Phil Gould later referred to as "no coincidence". In game 3 he was heavily involved in an altercation with several other QLD and NSW players only 2 minutes before full-time. TV broadcasts clearly show Hodges 'egging' NSW players on to fight, following an incident between Steve Price and Brett White (and later Trent Waterhouse and Justin Poore). He later told reporters that he believed what Justin Poore did (lifting an unconscious Price up off the ground) as a "dog act".

After the 2009 NRL season Hodges travelled to England as part of Australia's squad for the 2009 Four Nations tournament.

2010

Hodges ruptured his Achilles tendon during pre-season training, and subsequently missed the entire 2010 season. He also missed being part of Queensland's victorious Origin campaign in which it won for the fifth year in succession.

2011

Hodges was anticipated to return within the first few rounds rounds of the 2011 Brisbane Broncos season after playing successfully in two pre-season trial. He made his return in a 'local derby' match against the Gold Coast Titans where he scored the match-winning try. Hodges' form in the early part of the season rewarded him with selection in the annual ANZAC test match. Injury was still present in Hodges as he was ruled out for several more games, he was ruled out of the first two games of the 2011 State of Origin series, however made his return in the third game sending his club, state and national captain, Darren Lockyer on an Origin high. He scored a hat-trick in the round 21 fixture against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, two of which were set up by Lockyer.

2012

In the 2012 State of Origin series Hodges played at centre in all three matches, scoring a try in the third and deciding game.

2013

Hodges played for Australia at centre and scored a try in the 2013 ANZAC Test victory against New Zealand. Hodges featured in the Queensland's successful 2013 State of Origin series, in whose second game he was sin-binned for fighting and in whose third and deciding game he scored a try.

Honours

Debut
Brisbane Broncos
First Grade Debut – 8 May 2000
Sydney Roosters
First Grade Debut – 15 March 2002
Queensland Maroons
Queensland State of Origin Debut – 5 June 2002
Australian Kangaroos
Australian Test Debut – 14 October 2006
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Sam Thaiday		 Captain
Brisbane Broncos
2014 - present 		Succeeded by
incumbent
Awards
Preceded by
Mark Gasnier		 Dally M
Centre of the Year
2007 		Succeeded by
Josh Morris
Preceded by
Shaun Berrigan		 Broncos Best Back
2005 		Succeeded by
Darren Lockyer
Preceded by
Karmichael Hunt		 Broncos Best Back
2009 		Succeeded by
Israel Folau
Preceded by
Darren Lockyer		 Broncos Best Back
2012 		Succeeded by
Josh Hoffman
Preceded by
Award Introduced		 Broncos Most Consistent
2006 		Succeeded by
Corey Parker
Records
Broncos Most Tries in a Match
with Steve Renouf, Wendell Sailor, Karmichael Hunt, Denan Kemp and Israel Folau

References

  1. ↑ "Ex helps Hodgo decide". SMH. 8 February 2004. Retrieved 29 November 2009. 
  2. ↑ "Hunt is over". Brisbane Broncos News. 7 March 2004. Archived from the original on 13 December 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2007. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Justin Hodges Profile at NRL Stats". NRL Stats. Retrieved 21 July 2007. 
  4. ↑ Don't Die With The Music In You, Wayne Bennett. "Wayne Bennett". 
  5. ↑ "Justin Hodges at Celebrity Vibe". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 29 June 2007. 
  6. ↑ "Biggest Blunders in Origin History". League HQ. 7 March 2004. Retrieved 24 June 2007. 
  7. ↑ "Roosters into Grand Final as Broncos head home". ABC Sport. 7 March 2004. Retrieved 24 June 2007. 
  8. ↑ "Hodges rules out legal action over Origin injury". ABC News. 13 June 2003. Retrieved 29 June 2007. 
  9. ↑ "Time-out – but Hodges's future up in air". The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 January 2004. Retrieved 22 July 2007. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Koch, Dan (10 July 2004). "Hodges likely to come home early". Brisbane Broncos News. Archived from the original on 13 December 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2007. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Koch, Dan (29 June 2004). "Hodges in trouble again". Brisbane Broncos News. Retrieved 24 June 2007. 
  12. ↑ Jackson, Glenn (2 October 2006). "Hodges crows again". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Digital). Retrieved 16 December 2009. 
  13. ↑ Dick, Barry (8 November 2004). "Hodges not fazed by critics". Brisbane Broncos News. Archived from the original on 12 December 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2007. 
  14. ↑ Koch, Dan (22 December 2004). "Tallis backs Hodges return". Brisbane Broncos News. Archived from the original on 13 December 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2007. 
  15. ↑ "Battle for spots begins". Brisbane Broncos News. 16 February 2005. Retrieved 24 June 2007. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 "Justin Hodges at Rleague". Rleague. Retrieved 29 June 2007. 
  17. ↑ Dickson, Scott (22 July 2005). "Tate eyeing off centre on return". Brisbane Broncos News. Archived from the original on 13 December 2007. Retrieved 29 June 2007. 
  18. ↑ "Knee problems sideline Hodges". ABC News Online. 7 September 2005. Retrieved 29 June 2007. 
  19. ↑ Read, Brent (15 June 2006). "Queensland's win for the ages – STATE OF ORIGIN II" (Fee required). The Australian. Retrieved 21 July 2007. 
  20. ↑ Scott, Dickson (18 July 2006). "Costigan, Lacey first to miss out". Brisbane Broncos News. Archived from the original on 13 December 2007. Retrieved 21 July 2007. 
  21. ↑ "Brisbane wins NRL grand final 15–8". The Age. 1 October 2006. Retrieved 14 May 2007. 
  22. ↑ Daly, Mick (3 October 2006). "Broncos eight selected". The Courier Mail. Retrieved 31 May 2007. 
  23. ↑ McLean, Trad (16 February 2007). "Broncos Overcome Plucky Celtic Crusaders". Brisbane Broncos News. Archived from the original on 12 December 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2007. 
  24. ↑ McLean, Trad (24 February 2007). "Broncos Downed in WCC Final". Brisbane Broncos News. Archived from the original on 12 December 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2007. 
  25. ↑ Liam FitzGibbon (1 August 2008). "Surprises in Kangaroos squad". "Fox Sports News (Australia)". Retrieved 2 August 2008. 
  26. ↑ "Veteran Lockyer named in Australian squad". International Herald Tribune. 1 August 2008. Retrieved 2 August 2008. 
  27. ↑ "Manly six win Australia call-up". BBC. 7 October 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2008. 
  28. ↑ Wald, Tom (3 May 2009). "Kangaroos selectors stick by losing World Cup team for New Zealand Test". Fox Sports. Retrieved 3 May 2009. 
  29. ↑ "Queensland name preliminary State of Origin squad". Fox Sports. 28 April 2009. Archived from the original on 28 May 2009. Retrieved 28 April 2009. 
  30. ↑ "South Sydney enforcer Michael Crocker called up for Maroons". Fox Sports. 26 May 2009. Archived from the original on 28 May 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2009. 

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.