Former England hooker Josh Hodgson has hit back at Aaron Woods following the Australian’s dismissive remarks about the upcoming Ashes Series, saying there was “just no need for it.”
Woods, who represented Australia 17 times between 2014 and 2018, had predicted a one-sided 3–0 series in favour of the Kangaroos and claimed he’d rather watch the Pacific Championships instead.
Hodgson, a Hull native who spent almost a decade in the NRL with Canberra Raiders and Parramatta Eels, took exception to Woods’ comments on both England coach Shaun Wane and fullback AJ Brimson, who is set to represent England through his maternal heritage.
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‘A good chance to shut a few people up’
Speaking on The Bye Round podcast with former teammate James Graham, Hodgson said the remarks only added fuel to England’s motivation. “This is a really good chance for us to go out and put a stamp on us as an international team and, to be fair, without saying politically, shut a few people up,” he said.
“I’m sure that’s what the England lads will be thinking. That’s what I’d be thinking if I was in there… shut everyone up. They expect us just to get whitewashed.”
When Graham described Woods’ take as “pretty disrespectful”, Hodgson didn’t hesitate to agree. “I did (think it was disrespectful, too). I like Woodsy, I’ve met him a few times, he’s a great bloke. But to watch a speech from an England coach and then basically say he’s fallen asleep watching it… mate, you weren’t Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.”
The fiery exchange has set the tone for what’s shaping up to be a spicy Ashes return, with both nations already trading verbal blows before the opening kick-off.