VIDEO: Boks must beware the Wallabies' booming boot
South Africa has been warned that a lack of discipline against Australia in the Rugby Championship opener in Pretoria will be severely punished.
Veteran Wallaby Reece Hodge is the man that can punish any penalties the Springboks may concede at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
A prodigious kicker of the ball, Hodge has proven to be an invaluable utility member of the Wallaby team with his massive boot an asset both out of hand and kicks at goal.
Hodge landed a kick from inside his own half on debut against New Zealand, at sea level, in Wellington back in 2016.
In an out-of-match competition – attempting to beat England utility back Elliot Daly’s unofficial record of 65.5 metres – Hodge landed a place-kick from 60 metres out.
However, pushing the kicking tee back to 65.75 metres, Hodge pushed it to the right – although he appeared to have had the distance.
Hodge is expecting Saturday’s Loftus face-off to become a kicking duel and was looking forward to the extra metres that came through playing at altitude.
With his memory failing him and not remembering the out-of-competition 60-metre effort, he told @rugby365com that he has been “practicing” his long-range kicks this week.
(WATCH as veteran Wallaby Reece Hodge speaks about the importance of the kicking game against the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld…)
“At altitude the ball definitely flies a bit further,” the 28-year-old, 62-times capped Wallaby said.
He added that the real challenge for the kickers is getting “positive results” – accuracy.
“It is exciting for a kicker to get a few extra metres,” he said, adding: “It’s a bonus [kicking] at altitude.”
However, he confirmed to @rugby365com that he is comfortable lining up a few goal-kicks from inside his own half.
“Kicking is a big part of the game here in South Africa,” Hodge said, adding: “The ball travels a bit further.
“South Africa, traditionally, has been a very good kicking side.
“They put a lot of pressure on teams through both contestable and long kicks.
“We will have to be smart in terms of how we counteract that and put pressure on them through our own kicking game.
“It will be a massive part of the game, as it is in most Test matches.
“Hopefully we can come out on the positive side of the kick battle.”
Hodge will certainly be able to pushing a Bok team that don’t have individuals who can match him for distance.
There has been plenty of speculation this week about whether Australia will use the boot more at Loftus Versfeld, moving away from how they traditionally play.
New coach Eddie Jones has little time to find the right formula ahead of the World Cup in France.
“One thing that Eddie has brought in is a lot of detail, he is one of the hardest workers I have come across,” Hodge told a media briefing in the build-up to the tournament opener.
“He is meticulous in his preparation, both in the last two weeks of our camp and in this week leading up to the Test.”
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