‘Sacrilege’ – All Blacks prop primed for Wallabies switch after star’s injury
Alex Hodgman of the All Blacks playing against the Wallabies and injured Waratahs prop Angus Bell.
A season-ending injury to Wallabies and Waratahs prop Angus Bell has opened the door for a switch of international allegiances for an All Black.
Bell is widely regarded as Australia’s premier loosehead prop, but a recurring toe injury will see him miss the remainder of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
The timeline of the 23-year-old’s return from injury is still to be determined, meaning that new Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt will be searching for replacements with the upcoming internationals against Wales and Georgia looming large.
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Four-times capped All Blacks prop Alex Hodgman has been touted as one of the leading candidates for a call-up for the upcoming internationals.
Hodgman earned all of his Test caps for New Zealand in 2020 and is eligible to switch allegiances to Australia because his father was born in Melbourne, having met the three-year stand down from Test rugby.
Versatile veteran James Slipper is the obvious replacement for Bell, but Schmidt could consider the mobile option of Hodgman, who is currently at the Reds.
The front-rower has had his own injury concerns this season but returned via the bench on Friday against Moana Pasifika.
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Speaking of the options that Schmidt will have at his disposal, broadcaster and reporter Michael Atkinson queried whether it was “sacrilege”.
“Is it sacrilege to say a former All Black could play for the Wallabies in this day and age?” Atkinson asked on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven.
Former Wallabies lock Justin Harrison responded: “If you conform inside those rules until they’re changed, why not?
“We don’t necessarily need to be parochial about where you first played rugby. It’s the value you add and the Australian way.
“We talk about this Australian way – what is that, by the way? Well, it’s about being adventurous, honest, hard, intelligent, a group of hard working athletes that display what it means to put a Wallabies jersey on.
“If Alex Hodgman shows me what that looks like, I’ll back him as much as he backs himself.”
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“I don’t see why not”
Hodgman was open to the idea of trading his international allegiances when asked earlier this year.
“I don’t see why not. I’m always trying to challenge myself, I’m always trying to become a better version of myself, and if that happens to come my way, then I’ll take it,” Hodgman said.
He added: “I actually experienced this before with the All Blacks – when I was trying too hard to try and become an All Black then I started doing things that were out of character.”
Meanwhile, former Wallaby loose forward Stephen Hoiles has suggested that Bell should consider changing positions from the front-row to avoid further injuries.
