Ex-Hull KR man gives verdict on Super League return as he begins coaching career

Former Hull KR hooker Josh Hodgson has given his verdict on returning to Super League as he takes the first footsteps in his coaching career.

Hodgson was one of the Robins’ finest exports in the Super League era with the ex-England international leaving Craven Park for Canberra Raiders ahead of the 2015 season, where he would play almost 140 games.

A move to Parramatta Eels for 2023 followed but his time with the club was cut short when he was forced to retire on medical grounds, prompting an early move into coaching which is something that Hull native has now spoken further on.

Appearing on James Graham’s Bye Round podcast, Hodgson has spoken about the early stages of his coaching career, his desire to become a head coach, and even whether he would return to work in Super League.

Hodgson currently works in the coaching set-up at the Eels, a club renowned for their youth development and as such, the 35-year-old claims he can see a ‘real progression line’ at Parramatta.

Josh Hodgson opens up on his coaching career

Speaking to former England teammate Graham, the former Hull KR man explained: “I’m really looking forward to working at Parramatta, I think there’s a real progression line there for me. I’ve really enjoyed working at the club and I really enjoyed really immersing myself.

“I’m trying to repay the club and the faith they showed in me which I couldn’t kind of repay when I was playing, so I’m trying to repay that now in my post career and trying to get the best out of some of these kids.”

Hodgson was forced to retire after just 12 games with the Eels as a neck injury cut short his playing career but he’s quickly moved into the coaching set-up at Parra, something he claimed is the first step on achieving his goal of becoming a head coach.

Several English coaches have worked in the NRL and with much acclaim recently, namely Lee Briers at Brisbane Broncos and Brian McDermott at Newcastle Knights, but for now Hodgson is still confined to the pathways project at Parra.

However, he’s clearly keen to progress and confirmed that a head coach gig is the dream, explaining: “As you say, with coaching, you’ve got to take the opportunities where they come, no matter where they are. So we’re ready for that and I’m ready for that individually.”

Ex-Hull KR man sets out condition for Super League return

Plenty of NRL coaches find opportunities in Super League with ex-Parramatta Eels boss Brad Arthur being a prime example with the Australian taking on a role at Leeds Rhinos midway through the 2024 campaign.

When asked if he held ambitions of coaching in Super League, Hodgson explained the only way he would be swayed to return to his native country.

“It would probably have to be a really good opportunity where it was too good to turn down for us to go,” Hodgson explained, noting the quality of life for his children as being key to his desire to stay Down Under.

He would also add: “The other side of that is that it would be hard moving back to England and being so close to the family to then go ‘Right we’re leaving again.’

“Selfishly, if it was just about me, we’d just go wherever. When you’ve got kids and you’ve got family you’ve got to really think about things so it has to be a really good opportunity, one that is too good to probably turn down.”

Despite the initial scepticism over returning to England, Hodgson wouldn’t rule it out completely.

“I’d never say no to anything because that’s stupid,” he conceded.

“I love the atmosphere in England, love the games, the singing and the smaller grounds. It’s a great atmosphere so if I could ever go back there and it was a good opportunity we’d think about it. I’m loving working here at the moment.”

In 2025, Hodgson will be head coach of the Harold Matthews Cup team at Parra.