Wallabies to boot Boks at Loftus

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Australia utility back Reece Hodge want to capitalise on the altitude factor in Saturday’s Rugby Championship opener between the Wallabies and Springboks at Loftus Versfeld.

Hodge, a versatile player with 62 Test caps, acknowledged the benefits of playing at altitude in Pretoria during a Wallabies conference earlier this week.

“At altitude, the ball definitely flies a bit further. It is exciting for a kicker to get a few extra meters,” Hodge told reporters. “Kicking is a big part of the game here in South Africa. The ball travels a bit further.”

Recognising the Boks’ prowess in the kicking department, Hodge stressed the need for a strategic approach to counteract their game. He highlighted the importance of putting pressure on the opposition with a similar approach.

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“It’s a bonus [kicking] at altitude. Kicking is a big part of the game here in South Africa. 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.”

Furthermore, Hodge praised the impact of Eddie Jones, who will lead the Australian team in his first Test back as head coach.

“One thing that Eddie has brought in is a lot of detail, he is one of the hardest workers I have come across,” he added. “He is meticulous in his preparation, both in the last two weeks of our camp and in this week leading up to the Test.”

Photo: Getty Images

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