Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

The rugby league 'legend' inspiring Andrew Kellaway

Andrew Kellaway of the Wallabies looks on after losing The Bledisloe Cup (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)

Wallabies’ assistant coach Brett Hodgson has kept a notably low profile at the World Cup but he’s made a big impact on fullback-turned-fan-boy Andrew Kellaway.

ADVERTISEMENT

Australia’s defence coach hasn’t fronted the media in France since a brief zoom call last month but Kellaway has been picking the brains of the former NRL star.

Hodgson started his career with Western Suburbs back in 1997, spent four seasons with Parramatta and then returned to the joint-venture Wests Tigers for a further five years before shifting his career to the UK.

Video Spacer
Video Spacer

Of diminutive stature, Hodgson was the 2005 Dally M fullback of the year, the leading point-scorer as the Wests Tigers came from nowhere to win the premiership that year.

He scored two tries in Parramatta’s losing 2001 grand final against Newcastle while he is also famous for getting rag-dolled over the sideline by Maroons enforcer Gorden Tallis when he made his State of Origin debut in 2002.

Kellaway grew up in the inner west and is a big fan of Hodgson, now 45, and the Wests Tigers.

“He was a little fella with a big heart, he had a crack,” 27-year-old Kellaway said of Hodgson’s playing days.

“He’s a Wests Tigers legend – he’s been awesome – he’s played in big games, plays the same position as I do so on a personal note, I found him incredibly useful.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I didn’t watch a heap of league growing up but I’m a Wests Tigers fan, so any Wests Tigers people coming into camp is a bit of a morale boost.”

Team Form

Last 5 Games

1
Wins
2
2
Streak
3
8
Tries Scored
18
-25
Points Difference
-54
1/5
First Try
2/5
3/5
First Points
2/5
2/5
Race To 10 Points
2/5

Hodgson ended up at Parramatta when Western Suburbs and Balmain merged ahead of the 2000 season, leaving as a way of staying loyal to late Magpies great and then coach Tommy Raudonikis who initially resisted the change.

Kellaway joked Hodgson must still carry the scars because he wouldn’t sign his Balmain jersey.

“I’ve got my Tigers jersey back at the hotel but he refused to sign it cause it’s Balmain Tigers and he’s Wests Magpies technically.”

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Play Video

South Africa vs Black Ferns XV | Women's International | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Namibia vs United Arab Emirates | Asia/Africa Rugby World Cup Play-off | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Lions Share | Episode 5

Play Video

Classic Wallabies vs British & Irish Legends | First Match | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Did the Lions loosies get away with murder? And revisiting the Springboks lift | Whistle Watch

Play Video

The First Test, Visiting The Great Barrier Reef & Poetry with Pierre | Ep 6: The Ultimate Test

Play Video

KOKO Show | July 22nd | Full Throttle with Brisbane Test Review and Melbourne Preview

Play Video

New Zealand v South Africa | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Long Reads

Comments on RugbyPass

TRENDING
TRENDING The Gregan verdict on Itoje's behaviour, comparing him to Bok great The Gregan verdict on Itoje's behaviour, comparing him to Bok great