Hodge delivers

The experiment with Reece Hodge was never about him going solo as the Wallabies’ new five-eighth but how often golden spark Kurtley Beale could glide in and out for a sharp job share in Yokohama.

The pair worked it smartly during the landslide 35-3 first half which set up the 63-30 thrashing of Japan yesterday afternoon in front of more than 40,000 at the Yokohama International Stadium which they are aiming to return to for a Rugby World Cup final in just under two years. Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper had urged on Test eve that his side had to show their improved mentality by playing with their All Blacks-slaying commitment against every opposition.

The fragility of the new defensive system of the Japanese made that easier than it should have been but the Wallabies were crisp with their five try-plays and some deft off-loading in the decisive first half.

Fullback Beale was into first receiver as swiftly as the fifth minute to throw a long ball to send centre Samu Kerevi over untouched.

Not to be outdone, just five minutes later Hodge was slipping a lovely ball inside for a Henry Speight try off a well-worked lineout play.

Hodge performed ably considering he was thrown into No. 10 without ever starting a Super Rugby game in the position, having to find his rhythm in three-and-half months of Wallaby training camps.