Ryan Hodson, a 24-year-old native of Perth, Western Australia
with experience of Super Rugby, has joined Jersey RFC. The
Islanders' Head Coach Harvey Biljon has moved to strengthen his
squad for the final two months of the season, and snapped up Hodson
just ahead of the transfer deadline on February 28th.
Hodson (pictured below) arrived last Thursday after
flying from Sydney but was not considered for Jersey's game against
the Cornish Pirates on Sunday, although he travelled with the squad
in order to begin getting to know his new team-mates.
"Ryan is an out-and-out openside, although there's no doubt he
could fit in as a number 8 if need be," said Biljon. "I believe
he's got the potential to add some real spark to our side in both
defence and attack.
"We have had a number of injuries in the back row since I came
to Jersey, and going into a crucial stage of the season I was keen
to add another option."
Returning to Australia in 2012 after a year studying and playing
rugby at the University of California, Hodson made two appearances
as a replacement for the Melbourne Rebels in the Super Rugby
tournament season. He has since played his rugby for Sydney club
Eastern Suburbs in the New South Wales Premiership, winning the
club's 'Best & Fairest' award at 1st XV level in 2013.
Speaking after watching his new side claim a valuable bonus
point at the Mennaye Field, Hodson said he was pleased to be
fulfilling an ambition to broaden his rugby horizons by playing in
Europe.
"I'm English-qualified through my grandmother, who lived in
Manchester, so it's always been something that I was interested in
doing," he said. "I hope I can add a new element to my game while
I'm here."
Hodson, who has signed a contract stretching to the end of the
2014/15 season, said his first impressions of Jersey were positive,
with an opportunity to hit the beach during his time off, as he
would do at home in the Perth beach suburb of Cottesloe.
The new signing will be in contention for a place in Jersey's
squad for this weekend's home match against promotion-chasing Leeds
Carnegie, which will also feature the return of Jersey old boys
Nathan Hannay and David Doherty to St Peter. Kick-off on Saturday
is at 3pm.
