He did have a huge boot but going for distance and missing touch cost us big time at Maine road. Everyone points to Lydons Drop goal, but Lyon missing touch gave Wigan possession, from which, If I remember Hanley made a break and put someone in for try in the corner which we were never coming back from.....

In general I agree with you, but I think a strong fb defensively can be the difference between being good and superb.

The likes of Radlinski and Wellens have throughout their careers pulled off some blinding try saving tackles, whereas Hodgson just isn't known for that. In fact he was often made to look rather silly as the last line of defence.

Me neither. 'Dispised' the guy for years after that, but he was good.

Frano Botica for me was one of the best f/b's, but that may have been due to his incredible goal kicking......... again denying us a title when we finished 3rd on goal difference to Wigan when John Dorahy was coach for the pies

Played full back sometimes but was more of a half-back.

Thought he was a centre[Botica]?

Just seen Botica's son plays for Harlequins RU, I thought Botica was a half back but could be wrong. He was some kicker though!

With all this talk about the merits of different full backs over the years, with a focus on the departed Hodgson, it got me thinking how we might play differently in some respects next season. Hodgson was a fantastic exponent of the full back assuming a third half back role, often joining the line to give a killer cut-out ball to create tries. The closest way we could replicate that would be to have Ratchford take his place at No 1 but he seems earmarked for the half back spot in Briers’ absence.

From what I saw of Matty Russell in the World Cup he is a very different full back, a dangerous runner and returner of kicks with real pace and strength and an ability to find gaps close to the line. He doesn’t seem to have, or at least didn’t show, that ability to become an additional pivot creating opportunities for others. Will this lead to us changing the way we play the game? I can see Russell thriving by following our offload game but wonder whether we will see any other changes in dynamics this season.

Matty Russell looks very lively at dummy half. We will need to give him the opportunity to show his skills.

I agree KT. I think we will have to play with a different style. Maybe Russell will play a bit more like Webb did for Leeds hanging around the ruck waiting for a quick play the ball or offload. Ratchford was more of a threat like that than Hodgson was. I do worry about our ability to create tries when we are 20 metres out now that Briers and Hodgson are gone.

With 2 FIT ex-england international centres, we dont necessary need to be so creative in the halves.

So, after 12 pages of posts, does anyone actually know what Brett Hodgson is doing ?

You should know by now that we know absolutely nothing of any value on this site, in fact it is a membership requirement. If the mods get any inkling that you know what you are talking about, you are thrown out and have to join the TotalRL board. They know even less than we do, but can write in long paragraphs and sound much more well informed.

You should also be more careful about trying to derail threads.

For what it's worth I think he may well show up in London.
He would be a good choice for captain of the club.

Cue another 12 pages.

I like this thread - with all it's twists and turns.... and I've made more comments on this than any other and still going......

Re Botica, I know he did play in the halves and as centre (and I think his preferred position was in the halves) but I just remember his exploits at full back.
Forgotten he was an All Black too. Boy was he a good kicker !


By the way - Hesford - heard he'd gone to Spain and was running a bar but seems to have disappeared.
Where's Hessie?