Former Hull boss Brett Hodgson lands new role
Former Hull FC head coach Brett Hodgson has landed a new job, reuniting with ex-England rugby union boss Eddie Jones in Australia.
Hodgson, 45, has joined the Wallabies as new defence coach in Jones’ first major appointment as new boss.
The former full-back enjoyed a successful career as a player with more than 350 professional games since making his debut in 1997. He also represented New South Wales in State of Origin and the Exiles during his Super League stint.
After retiring from playing in 2013, he joined Sale Sharks as kicking consultant, before being appointed assistant coach at Widnes Vikings under-then head coach Denis Betts.
He returned to Australia to take up a role with Wests Tigers in 2018, before returning to England as head coach of Hull FC ahead of the 2021 Super League season.
Hodgson left Hull by mutual consent last September, replaced by Tony Smith at the MKM Stadium for 2023.
The 2009 Man of Steel winner went on to join Jones as England’s defence coach in November last year, but was released when Jones was sacked from his position as head coach following the Autumn Nations Series Tests.
Brett Hodgson on new role
“I’m really excited to be back in Australia and working with the Wallabies, especially in a World Cup year,” Hodgson said in a statement.
“There’s plenty of hard work ahead and I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running and making a positive contribution to the team.
“The Wallabies are a team everyone in Australia loves to get behind and from what I’ve seen so far there’s plenty of talent here and that’s something that’s really exciting.”
Jones added: “Brett’s a hard-working and detailed young coach who will be a great asset to the Wallabies and the coaching staff.
“He’s worked under some great coaching mentors like Gus Gould and Tim Sheens in his time as a player and a coach, so he’s well-schooled. I know he’ll give his best to the job of producing the best defence in the world.”
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