Hodge hoping to put best foot forward for Jones's Wallabies

MELBOURNE : A philosophical attitude can be handy for an elite athlete as Reece Hodge has shown throughout a career of being thrown in, out and around the Wallabies backline.

Of all his team mates, Hodge has the biggest claim to have inherited the 'Mr Fixit' mantle from Adam Ashley-Cooper, who was famous for plugging holes in the Wallabies backline.

Highly skilled and boasting a prodigious boot, Hodge can play anywhere from 10 to 15 but has rarely held onto any position for any length of time in his 54 tests.

It is not because Hodge has failed at any of them. Rather, it is the 28-year-old's versatility which has made him coaches' go-to man when crises arise.

"I don't mind it. Over my career, I don't think I would have played as many tests if I didn't have that versatility and ability to move around," Hodge told Reuters.

"So some people call it a curse, some people call it a blessing. I'd consider myself a team player and always willing to play anywhere."

Having played here, there and everywhere under former Wallabies coaches Michael Cheika and Dave Rennie, Hodge will soon find out where he stands under new boss Eddie Jones, who names his Rugby Championship squad on Sunday.

In a World Cup year, Hodge hopes Jones will value his flexibility among his other qualities when he gets round to picking his squad for France.

Had Jones been tuning in to the 2022 season, he would have noted Rennie's backline was a moving feast, with Hodge one of the more mobile morsels.

Initially overlooked for the England series, Hodge started at fullback for the third and final test following a raft of injuries but ended the season at inside centre against Wales.

In between, he came off the bench to play at flyhalf against Argentina when Quade Cooper exited