Justin Hodges

At 41 years old, Justin Hodges has this physical status:

Justin Hodges (born 25 May 1982) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who competed in the 2000s and 2010s.

Hodges, a Queensland state of Origin and Australian international representative centre, began his career with the Brisbane Broncos before moving to the Sydney Roosters, where he captured the 2002 NRL Premiership before returning to the Broncos in 2005 and winning the 2006 NRL Premiership.

He also captained the Broncos.

Early years

Hodges was born on May 25 in Cairns, Queensland. He started growing up and played for Cairns Kangaroos Juniors, 1992, through to undefeated U16's in 1998, before being signed by the Brisbane Broncos.

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Playing career

Hodges made his National Rugby League debut against the Canberra Raiders on round 14 of the 2000 NRL season. In a losing 16-14 Broncos team, he played well, saving two tries. Hodges lost by 16–12 in round 16 against the Melbourne Storm at Olympic Park in Melbourne. Hodges completed his rookie season in the NRL after playing in 5 games and scoring 2 goals for the 2000 Brisbane Broncos.

Hodges was sent to the full-time NRL squad for the 2001 Brisbane Broncos season, but the club only played in 12 games and scored 4 tries. The Broncos were unable to re-sign Hodges before the anti-tampering deadline on June 30th, which was intended to keep clubs from admitting players from other clubs. Hodges then signed a three-year contract with the Sydney Roosters. Broncos coach Wayne Bennett told Hodges that his services were no longer needed and that he had been moved to the Toowoomba Clydesdales, who felt betrayed by his defection.

Hodges has joined the Sydney Roosters in 2002 to play in the NRL. Hodges made his club debut with the Sydney Roosters in round 1 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at SFS. In Round 4 against the Northern Eagles at Brookvale Oval, Hodges scored his first and second team tries for the Roosters, defeating the 28–22 loss. During the 2002 season, Hodges made news for all the wrong reasons, including a woefully bad State of Origin debut where he threw two in goal passes that turned into tries for the opposing team, despite Queensland's 26-18 victory. In the 2002 Sydney Roosters NRL Grand Final 30-8 victory over the New Zealand Warriors, Hodges was centred. Hodges was a member of the 2002 Sydney Roosters and scored 11 goals in 26 games and 11 tries.

The Roosters rode to England to face the 2003 World Club Challenge against the 2002 NRL Premiership champions, St Helens R.F.C. In the Roosters 38–0 victory, Hodges was at center. Hodges sustained a serious knee injury in Game 1 of the 2003 State of Origin series, destroying the cruciate ligament in his left knee early in the match in Queensland's 25-12 loss. The game was played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, and Hodges considered legal action against the stadium due to the bad condition of the playing surface. He did not take court action against the stadium, but he did not take court action against it. In the 2003 NRL season, Hodges appeared in 11 games and scored 8 goals for the Roosters.

Hodges and his long-time girlfriend split up in early 2004 and was given two weeks of sympathy leave from the Sydney Roosters. Hodges caused more trouble for the Roosters when he skipped a training session and club functions to spend time with his friends and family. Hodges coach Ricky Stuart put the Maroons into the lower grade premier league after Hodges appeared in Game 1 of the 2004 State of Origins series in the Maroons 9–8 loss at ANZ Stadium. In the Roosters' 58–6 victory at ANZ Stadium, the Hodges made it back to the first grade Roosters team in round 12, scoring a hat-trick against the New Zealand Warriors. In the Roosters' 40–12 loss at ANZ Stadium, Hodges was sent off for a high shot on Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs player and Queensland teammate Steve Price. Hodges were then banned for a year. Hodges returned to Brisbane in mid-2004 to speak with Broncos coach Wayne Bennett to seek a return to the Broncos. This was approved by Roosters boss Brian Canavan, but Roosters coach Stuart was unaware that Hodges needed to be released from the club. Hodges had been expected to leave the Roosters mid-season and go to the Broncos after multiple off-field incidents, but the Broncos didn't want this. In their 2004 NRL Grand Final 16–13 loss to cross-Sydney rivals, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Hodges was at center stage. In his last year with the Sydney Roosters, Hodges played in 21 games and scored 7 goals.

Following the feud between coach Bennett and Hodges earlier in 2001, some commentators believed that Hodges would not be able to integrate well into the Broncos team. Hodges and Bennett sorted stuff out, but all Hodges wanted to do was play rugby league during off season camp. Hodges said he did not regret going to Sydney but that it was time to return to Brisbane. Despite some fans doubting the tenacity of Hodges' return to the Broncos, former Brisbane Broncos captain Gorden Tallis backed him. The Broncos had a trouble when Hodges returned to the Broncos. They now had three centers, but only two could play in that situation. Hodges, Shaun Berrigan, and Brent Tate were left to fight for the two central positions. Hodges was forced to play on the wing in the early rounds of 2005, with Tate and Berrigan in the center. In the Broncos' 29–16 victory over Suncorp Stadium, Hodges was in his Broncos return match against the North Queensland Cowboys on the wing. Hodges scored his first attempt as a Bronco in round 3 against his former team, the Sydney Roosters, at SFS. Brent Tate sustained a shoulder injury against the Cronulla Sharks at Remondis Stadium, allowing Hodges to play in his preferred position of center in the Broncos' 16-12 victory. Hodges sustained ligament damage in his right knee during the Broncos 22-20 loss at Penrith Stadium in Round 24 against the Penrith Panthers. In the Broncos 34-6 semi-finals loss, Hodges returned to the Broncos for their last match against the Wests Tigers at SFS. After losing seven straight matches, the Broncos were disqualified from the finals. In the 2005 NRL season, Hodges played in 19 games and scored 11 goals.

Hodges started the season in 2006 and went back to play in the first ten rounds of the competition. However, he suffered with a swollen appearance over the next ten rounds, though he was only playing one round for the Broncos. Despite this, Hodges was selected to play for Queensland in the first two games of their 2006 State of Origin series victory, the first of what would be a record-breaking run. In the 30–6 victory at Suncorp Stadium in the second game, he intercepted a NSW pass and ran 85 meters to score a try. Despite this, he was sidelined for over three weeks, including the 3rd State of Origins match, before returning to the Broncos in a game where the Broncos lost 26–10 at 1300SMILES Stadium. The Broncos' form continued to decline until coach Wayne Bennett transferred Hodges from the center to fullback in place of injured teammate Karmichael Hunt. The team put on their funk and made it to the 2006 NRL Grand Final, the Hodges' fourth in five seasons. Hodges, the faceless minor premiers of Melbourne, was selected to play at fullback. Hodges scored a try and Brisbane defeated Brisbane by 15 points in the 20th minute, off the back of a skilful Darren Lockyer inside, and Brisbane went on to win the grand final 15–8. In the 2006 NRL season, Hodges appeared in 20 games, scored ten times, and kicked a goal for the Broncos. Hodges went on to compete for Australia in the 2006 Tri-Nations Series at the end of 2006. In the Kangaroos 30–18 victory at Mt Smart Stadium, Hodges was making his Australian national debut against New Zealand at center. Hodges scored his international debut at Suncorp Stadium in Kangaroos 33–10 victory over Great Britain. In the last match against New Zealand, Hodges was center stage, with Australia winning 16–12 in golden point extra time at SFS.

Hodges and the rest of the team traveled to England to compete in the 2007 World Club Challenge due to the Broncos winning the grand final. For the trial match against the Crusaders, which the Hodges won 32–6. In the trial match, the Hodges scored an intercept ball right before halftime. The Broncos lost the match 18-14 in the World Club Challenge versus St Helens RLFC. Hodges was pushed to full throttle in the first two rounds of the 2007 season, with Karmichael Hunt competing in the halves. Hunt was recalled in the halves when he was playing poorly and Hodges was put into the center of the field for Round 3 against the Penrith Panthers, setting a new record of scoring four tries in a match at Suncorp Stadium. In the Kangaroos 30–6 victory at Suncorp Stadium, Hodges was selected for the 2007 ANZAC Test against New Zealand at center. In the 2007 State of Origins series, Hodges appeared in all three games for Queensland. Despite Queensland winning the series 2–1, Hodges scored one point in the third game in the Suncorp Stadium's 18–4 loss. Despite being sidelined for several weeks due to a knee injury, Hodges finished the season as the Broncos top try-scorer with 12 tries in 19 matches and was Dally M Centre of the Year.

In the Kangaroos 28–12 victory at SCG, Hodges was selected for Australia in the 2008 ANZAC Test match against New Zealand at centre. In Game 1 of the 2008 State of Origin series, Hodges was playing in the Maroons 18–10 loss at ANZ Stadium. Queensland later won the series 2–1. Hodges was selected in the preliminary Kangaroos squad for the 2008 World Cup in August 2008. After being suspended for a strip on Broncos winger Colin Best in Round 21 against the Canberra Raiders, Hodges received a two-week suspension for giving referee Tony Archer a "up yours" gesture behind his back. Hodges demonstrated his true toughness in the Broncos 242 win over Suncorp Stadium by taking to the field with a severe eye infection and an undefeated illness in round 26 against the Newcastle Knights. Hodges played in 14 games and scored 7 tries for the Broncos in the 2008 NRL season. Hodges was selected in the final 24-man Australia squad on October 7, 2008, who was based in Melbourne, Australia. Hodges was ruled out of the World Cup on October 14th, 2008, after discovering he needed shoulder surgery and requiring up to six months to recover.

In the Kangaroos 38-10 victory at Suncorp Stadium, Hodges was selected for Australia in the 2009 ANZAC Test match against New Zealand at center, scoring 2 tries. In April 2009, he was selected in the preliminary 25-man squad to play for Queensland in the 2009 State of Origin series's first game, and he was later selected at center for the first State of Origins match. Hodges suffered his leg during the first half, and although New South Wales scored all their points in the 28-18 victory at Etihad Stadium, which Phil Gould later referred to as "no coincidence." Hodges was heavily involved in an altercation with several other QLD and NSW players just 2 minutes before full time in Game 3 at Suncorp Stadium. Following an incident involving Steve Price and Brett White (and later Trent Waterhouse and Justin Poore), television broadcasts showed Hodges 'egging' NSW players on the front row. Later, the Hodges said he thought what Justin Poore did (lifting an unconscious Price up off the ground) was a "dog thing." In the match, the Hodges had a try. Hodges was active in the 2009 NRL season, with him playing 18 games and scoring three tries for the Broncos. Hodges qualified to England for the 2009 Four Nations tournament as part of Australia's squad for the Kangaroos' 46–16 victory over England at Elland Road, playing at center in the Kangaroos 46–16 victory over England.

Hodges tore his Achilles tendon during pre-season preparations and then missed the entire 2010 NRL season. The Hodges also missed out on being part of Queensland's triumphant Origin campaign, in which the Hodges captured for the fifth year in a row.

After being successful in two pre-season trials, the Hodges was supposed to return within the first few rounds of the 2011 season. Hodges returned to action in Round 3 of a 'local derby' match against the Gold Coast Titans at Robina Stadium, where he scored the match-winning goal in the Broncos 14-8 victory. In the 2011 ANZAC Test at Robina Stadium, the Hodges' form in the early part of the season rewarded him with selection at center. Hodges' deal with the Broncos ran through the 2014 season on May 11th. Hodges was already suffering from injury after being barred from several more games. Despite missing the first two games of the 2011 State of Origins series, Hodges returned to action in the third game, bringing his team, state, and national captain Darren Lockyer out on an Origins high as the Maroons defeated 34-24 at Suncorp Stadium. Hodges scored a hat-trick against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in Round 21, two tries of which were set up by Darren Lockyer in the Broncos' 46-16 victory at Suncorp Stadium. Hodges played 17 games and scored 8 tries for the Broncos during the 2011 NRL season.

In the 36–28 loss at Robina Stadium, Hodges was selected for the Indigenous All Stars against the NRL All Stars. Hodges was selected to play at center in the Kangaroos 20-12 victory at Eden Park in the 2012 ANZAC Test against New Zealand. Hodges was centre of all three Queensland matches, scoring a try in the third and deciding game that resulted in Queensland winning the 2012 State of Origin Series, with Queensland winning the 2012 Series 2–1. Following the 2012 season and the signing of Scott Prince, Hodges announced that he wanted to change from Centre to Fullback for the Broncos Test team (for the 2013 season); after being inspired by a breakout season with his Queensland Maroons and Australian Kangaroos Test teammate Greg Inglis (who made the switch from Centre to Fullback in the 2012 season). Hodges played in 18 games and scoring 5 tries for the Broncos in the 2012 NRL season.

Hodges spent the majority of the 2013 season in the centre but also did a bit of Fullback for the club. Hodges was selected to play in the 2013 ANZAC Test for Australia at centre, scoring a try in the second half of the Kangaroos 32–12 win over New Zealand at Canberra Stadium. In Game 2 of the Maroons 26–6 victory at Suncorp Stadium, Hodges was banned from participating in the Queensland's fruitful 2013 State of Origin series. Hodges won by a score in the third and deciding game, with Matt Scott claiming to him, "I'll buy you a beer" to allow a disallowed Matt Scott to try when Origin streaker Wati Holmwood interrupted play by running almost 100 meters naked. Following Broncos teammate Corey Norman's removal from the Broncos line-up (one of the final games of the 2013 season), Hodges and Josh Hoffman took turns playing Fullback and in the Centres, switching/interchanging between these two positions. In the Broncos 26-24 victory over Suncorp Stadium, Hodges season came to an end prematurely after suffering with a snapped left Achilles during his Round 22 home match against the St George Illawarra Dragons. Hodges played in 14 matches and scored 6 tries for the Broncos in 2013 NRL season. Josh Hoffman, a colleague and Kiwi-international Test player, was not the right player to play fullback for the Broncos in the NRL, and he backed Ben Barba in the team's Fullback role.

Hodges and Corey Parker were co-captain for the 2014 Brisbane Broncos season, succeeding Sam Thaiday. Due to the injury he sustained in the 2013 season, Hodges skipped the first two weeks of the season. Hodges said Josh Hoffman, the Broncos' best footy player, was playing his best footy at Five-eighth and that he was thrilled with the Broncos' style while watching him play from the sidelines. 6 Jersey is a republic in New Jersey. Hodges signed a new two-year contract with the Broncos on April 22, 2014, keeping him at the team until the end of the 2016 season. In Round 6 of the season, Hodges was expected to return from his injury, but in the Broncos Round 5 home game against the Parramatta Eels off the interchange bench. In all three matches of the 2014 State of Origins series, the Hodges were centered. In Round 24 against the Newcastle Knights, Hodges was in fullback for the Broncos' 58–22 loss to the Parramatta Eels, including the injured Josh Hoffman. Hodges was a member of the Pittsburgh Broncos and played in 17 games and scored 2 tries. Hodges was selected for the Australia Kangaroos 2014 Four Nations train-on squad on September 15, but later suffered from injury.

In the 2015 Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars match at Robina Stadium, Hodges was voted at center for the Indigenous All Stars. The Indigenous team defeated the NRL All Stars 20–6. Hodges was named as the Broncos' solo captain by coach Wayne Bennett on February 27, 2015, as the Broncos' sole captain for the 2015 season. Hodges revealed on April 25, 2015, that he would step away from representing the Broncos until the end of the year. Hodges appeared for Queensland in all three matches of the 2015 State of Origins series, in what was his last State of Origin series. Hodges converted Aidan Guerra's 78th minute attempt in a memorable audience of 52,500 at Suncorp Stadium in Game Three of the series. Hodges revealed on August 10, 2015, that he will retire from Rugby League at the end of the season. Hodges played his 250th NRL game against the Sydney Roosters, as well as being suspended for a lifting tackle on Aidan Guerra in the Broncos 31–12 victory at Suncorp Stadium. Hodges, who suffered in the lead up to the Broncos Grand Final against the North Queensland Cowboys, were up for a challenge, with the NRL Judiciary waiting for a call from the NRL Judiciary to see if he will win with a possible Grand Final victory. Dale Copley was named as the 18th man on Hodges as the Hodges' back-up, but Hodges was allowed to play in the Grand Final on September 29 after being found not guilty of a grade one dangerous throw. Hodges played his last game of his NRL career match at centre against the North Queensland Cowboys on October 4th, 2015. Hodges and Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston was named as the first two Indigenous players to cap a grand final team. Hodges completed his NRL debut in 2015 with him playing in 20 games and scoring 3 tries for the Brisbane Broncos.

Boxing career

Hodges made his boxing debut against former furniture removalist Rob Baron, who was also making his boxing debut on February 9. After just 75 seconds thrashed Baron, Hodges won the tournament.

Hodges met New Zealand boxer Troy McMahon in his second fight. Despite being defeated in the first 20 seconds by Hodges, who smuggled McMahon. Following the fight due to Hodges' choice of opponent, Hodges came under a lot of media and fan backlash. "I don't care about the crowd, the crowd doesn't bother me," the host responded by saying. I've been playing rugby for 18 years, and they are the one booing, but they should get in the ring and have a go at it themselves."

Darcy Lussick, a rugby league player, was defeated in his third battle, and he was making his boxing debut. Within the first 39 seconds of the match, Lussick knocked Hodges out of the match.

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