Josh Hodgson takes on unofficial coaching role at Canberra

Drew Darbyshire

England star Josh Hodgson is helping Ricky Stuart coach Canberra Raiders while out injured.

Hodgson suffered an ACL rupture while representing England at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup and will be out until at least the midway point in the season.

Canberra signed Tonga star Siliva Havili in the off-season and he played at hooker in their first round defeat to Gold Coast Titans while half-back Aidan Sezer also had spells there.

And Havili revealed that Hodgson has taken up an unofficial coaching role while injured at the Raiders.

He told NRL.com: “He’s pretty much another coach at training, not only to us as dummy-halves, but the whole team in general actually.

“As a leader, that’s what he does. The boys give him stick and ask him if he’s got his coaching certificate and that because he’s always out there on the paddock adding his voice to the mix and trying to help however he can.

“Josh is a world class hooker and even though his injury was unfortunate, it does give us an opportunity to learn from him in a different way and learn his game a bit.

“He’s teaching myself and Garvs (Craig Garvey) about some little things at dummy-half. A few little tactics around the ruck and what he uses and does.”