Hodgson hopes for World Cup call-up

Hull KR hooker Josh Hodgson has admitted that the prospect of an appearance at Rugby League World Cup 2013 is one he’d relish.

Hodgson has enjoyed a fine start to the 2013 season with the Robins, leading to calls from the local press in Hull for him to be included in England head coach Steve McNamara’s plans for this autumn’s tournament.

With St Helens number nine James Roby currently out injured, and several other hookers struggling for form, Hodgson has emerged as one of the ones to watch in his position so far this year.

“I’ve gone OK but you just need to make sure that you’re doing your job every week and not letting your standards slip,” Hodgson told LoveRugbyLeague.com.

“I want to do things consistently and playing well. If you can do that and maintain your level for your club then other things can happen off the back of that.

“And I think Rugby League World Cup 2013 is in the back of every English player’s mind, including mine.

“It’d be the greatest honour in the world to play for my country. I’ve not had the chance to do it in the Elite Squad yet, though I have done it for the Knights and I was immensely proud.

“I’ve just got to make sure I’m doing the right things week in, week out for Hull KR.”

And Hodgson believes that the Robins could be well-represented at this autumn’s tournament, dismissing the notion that players outside the top four clubs may be overlooked.

“I don’t see why there can’t be a decent Hull KR representation in the England squad this Autumn.

“Steve McNamara is a fair bloke, and a fair coach. He knows that if you’re doing your job and you’re playing well you’ll get picked, regardless of who you play for.

“Ben Cockayne is a friend of mine through our time together at Hull KR, and he’s in that squad now, so it just shows what can be achieved.

“He’s done well for Wakefield so he’s got his opportunity and I think that proves what Steve’s about, what the squad’s about and what the programme’s about.”

The Robins have endured a mixed start to the new season, most recently losing out to Huddersfield to slip out of the play-off places.

“We’ve shown that if we’re at our best we can beat any side, and if we can maintain a high level then I think we can go a long way,” said Hodgson.

“The win over St Helens showed what we are capable of. We know that if we do things right that we can cope with any team.

“It’s good to know that we have that potential, but in a way it’s one of the most frustrating things about us, particularly when we can’t back our performances up.”

England have been drawn alongside Australia, Ireland and Fiji in Group A.

They face Australia at the Millennium Stadium on October 26, Ireland at the John Smith’s Stadium on November 2 and Fiji at the KC Stadium on November 9.

And Hodgson believes that the hosts have a good chance of being successful.

“I think they’ve got as good a chance as anybody. We’ve shown that we can beat Australia and New Zealand, and as long as we stick to our game plan then there’s no reason why we can’t win it.”

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