Rugby League by Paul Crawley
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Subscriber only An upset, angry and brutally honest Josh Hodgson has come out swinging in defence of his under-fire former Canberra teammate George Williams, saying he and all the Raiders players are right behind the English playmaker who was sensationally sent packing this week. In a wide-ranging interview, Hodgson also opened up about his own future, stating I am not a bench player . Hodgson, who gave up his co-captaincy role earlier this season, said if that means moving to another club next year to make way for Tom Starling, then he would do what was in his and the club s best interests.
By WWOS staff3 days ago
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Raiders star Josh Hodgson has slammed the club s messy handling of an immediate release for fellow England Test player George Williams.
In doing so, Hodgson said that it may also be time that he left Canberra.
Williams has been homesick and wanted a release at the end of the season; yet the issue came to a head this week, with the Raiders deciding that he was finished after he said he was unable to attend a training session and the weekend s game. Williams said the Raiders kicked me out the door in a tough moment.
Kevin Walters is adamant Jamayne Isaako and Tevita Pangai jnr are required players for Brisbane next season despite admitting he was searching the market for a new fullback.
Isaako and Pangai became embroiled in a playing poaching reports this week after Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire flew to Brisbane to meet with the pair.
Walters confirmed on Friday the Broncos had not given either player permission to negotiate with another club for the final year of their contracts in 2022.
The Broncos later issued a statement claiming Isaako met to discuss New Zealand Test preparations with Maguire while Pangai categorically rejected suggestions he met Maguire at all.
Josh Hodgson concedes his desire to keep playing for another four or five years could eventually force him to leave Canberra after dismissing suggestions his relationship with Ricky Stuart is on the rocks.
Hodgson has spoken for the first time since relinquishing the Raiders captaincy last month, a decision he described as the hardest one I ve made in my career .
The 31-year-old hooker returns from a calf injury this Saturday in Magic Round against Canterbury off the bench, taking on a Bulldogs side that recently made subtle enquiries about his contract status after it emerged he had stepped down from leading the struggling Raiders.