England hooker Josh Hodgson is a big smash in Australia for Canberra – but this time it is for all the right reasons
Ex-Hull KR hooker is on course to be NRL player of the year.. after being filmed in 2014 breaking through a student's door
JOSH HODGSON has proved a smash hit Down Under this season — for all the right reasons.
The Hull-born hooker made headlines before joining Canberra after being filmed breaking through a student’s door in New Zealand while touring with England in 2014.
But that drama is firmly behind him after wowing Aussie rugby league fans.
Incredibly, the 26-year-old is leading the race for the NRL’s player of the year award, the Dally M medal.
No Brit has ever won it and Hodgson said: “I never thought I’d be leading the Dally Ms.
“It’s still early in the season and, hopefully, on the back of it come rewards. I’ll just keep working hard and keep my head down.”
Under the Dally M system, the best three players in each game are awarded points.
Hodgson went into this weekend’s round of fixtures tied on 13 points with Andrew Fifita and Jason Taumalolo.
From the end of this month, the vote is kept under wraps so the winner at the end of the year is a surprise.
After 132 games with Hull KR, Hodgson took the plunge at the end of 2014 to realise his dream of playing NRL.
He caught the eye with his crafty dummy-half play and incredible work-rate but has taken his game to a new level.
And despite being 10,500 miles from family and friends, he credits his team-mates for making him feel at home — something that could prove crucial after wife Kirby gave birth to son George this week.
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He said: “That’s a massive sign of a good team, someone you can talk to about life away from rugby. We’ve got a great chemistry here.”
This season, he also has some English company in the shape of Bradford-born Elliott Whitehead — and coach Ricky Stuart is thought to be keen on more Super League stars.
Whitehead, 26, added: “I’m sure whoever he brought over wouldn’t let him down.”
NINE ENGLAND STARS PLAYING IN OZ
SAM BURGESS (South Sydney)
Made instant impact on return to NRL following a year in union with Bath.
GEORGE BURGESS (South Sydney)
Followed Sam to Oz as a teenager and a star at Russell Crowe-owned Souths.
TOM BURGESS (South Sydney)
George’s twin also plays at Souths.
JOE BURGESS (Sydney Roosters)
Wigan winger is no relation and has struggled to break in at Roosters.
GARETH WIDDOP (St George Illawarra)
England stand-off moved aged 16 when family emigrated to Oz from Halifax.
JAMES GRAHAM (Canterbury)
Former St Helens player is one of the best props in the world.
MIKE COOPER (St George Illawarra)
The prop left Warrington in 2013 to join St George and has flourished.
JACK REED (Brisbane Broncos)
The classy Brisbane centre was born in Yorkshire but grew up in Queensland.
ELLIOTT WHITEHEAD (Canberra Raiders)
Moved to Canberra this year after spells with Bradford and Catalans.
