Hodge has learned his lesson after RWC tackle ban

Wallabies wing Reece Hodge says he learned a harsh lesson from his three-week ban for a shoulder charge on Fiji’s Peceli Yato.

Hodge was at the centre of controversy after his head-high shoulder shot went unpunished by the referee despite putting Yato out of commission.

Fiji earned the Wallabies ire by submitting the Hodge tackle to the citing commissioner resulting in a disciplinary hearing and a ban.

Wallabies working to improve tackling

Australia has had some issues keeping their tackles down in general, but Hodge insists they are working hard in training to refine their technique.

“We’re always working on our tackle technique with the coaches and refining things week to week,” Hodge told reporters after a training session in Odawara.

“But as I have said previously, my kind of tackling in the wide channels is always in the low knee-to-hip kind of region and I will still be looking to tackle low coming back into the frame this weekend.”

World Rugby is eager to clamp down on contact to the head and neck as the game comes under scrutiny from lawmakers.

Hodge says he has received the message loud and clear.

“I learned my lesson that it is going to be quite harsh if you stray from that kind of goal, so I’ll definitely be trying to tackle low this weekend for sure,” the utility back said.

The Wallaby is determined to enjoy his first Rugby World Cup despite missing three Pool matches with suspension and says being at training has helped him with that.

“There was no point trying to fret about the decision being made and my role was to prepare the team and the guys around me as best as possible for the three games I missed out on,” Hodge explained.

“I’m still privileged being over here, being part of my first World Cup, and I didn’t let the decision dampen that.”

Hodge relishing battle for 14 jersey

Hodge is prepared for a training duel with the contenders for the 14 jersey. Marika Koroibete is an automatic pick at 11, but Adam-Ashley Cooper and Jordan Petaia provide competition for Hodge.

“For sure, no spot is ever guaranteed in the team,” said Hodge. “I’m looking forward to another week of really tough tussles on the training paddock and seeing what happens come the weekend.”

Hodge “conceded that he had no effective knowledge” of the framework and “had not been trained on it,” at the disciplinary commission.

Wallaby coach Michael Cheika said the framework was for referees, not players and that his side were being taught to tackle correctly.

“We do not need the framework to tell them how to tackle,” Cheika said.

Australia will face England in the first Rugby World Cup quarterfinal at Oita Stadium on 19 October.