Hodgson hails Whitehead’s progress

Josh Hodgson says Elliot Whitehead has made a smooth transition to the NRL even though he has to act as a translator at times for his fellow Yorkshireman.

Whitehead joined Hodgson at the Raiders this year after arriving from Catalans.

The forward has played nearly every minute of Canberra’s 2016 campaign, crossing for two tries and setting up four.

Whitehead has made four line-breaks and eight offloads in 11 appearances, with the Raiders sitting in seventh spot with five wins, five losses and a draw.

Hodgson believes the NRL has yet to see the best of Whitehead.

“He’s been going really well,” the hooker told Love Rugby League.

“He’s a tough kid and he works really hard and he’s very skillful as well.

“We’ve seen glimpses of his skills that he’s shown us so far and I think there’s only going to be more to come from him.

“He’s a great kid and he’s fitted into the squad really well.

Whitehead is averaging 74.9 metres and an impressive 40.7 tackles per game.

Hodgson said it has been good having a fellow Englishmen at his club, although some of their Raiders teammates find it hard to understand the 26-year old’s Bradford accent.

“It’s good, it’s good. Sometimes I can translate some of his words to the boys because they don’t understand him sometimes,” Hodgson joked.

“But nah it’s good to have another English bloke around to kind of get the humour that us English have is a little bit different now and then.”

The Raiders come up against the Bulldogs at GIO Stadium on Sunday.

The two teams met in round five in Sydney and Canberra were dominant with a 22-8 victory.

“It will be a tough game,” Hodgson admits.

“We kind of gave it to them when we went to Belmore and I’m sure they’re looking to come down with a bit of an upset after the performance they showed at home when we beat them there.

“I think they’ll be coming out all guns blazing. We know that and that’s what we’re preparing for.”