Former Hull KR star reportedly set to retire immediately

Former Hull FC and Hull KR hooker Josh Hodgson should go down as one of the best British players of the 21st Century even though he is very rarely raised in those kind of conversations given he has spent his peak years in Australia.

Hodgson had a strong Super League career making his name at Hull KR but left to take on a challenge in the NRL.

He would soon develop into one of the best number nines in Australia and helped the Canberra Raiders to the 2019 Grand Final.

Sadly a long term injury meant in his final season with the Green Machine meant he missed the entire campaign.

He joined Parramatta Eels ahead of the 2023 season but has been struck by a nasty neck injury and according to the Daily Telegraph the England international could be set to retire immedialy.

This comes after some recent comments from his coach.

“It’s been tough for Hodgo. He had that neck injury and he had an operation on it,’’ Eels coach Brad Arthur told NRL 360.

“He’s been trying to offer assistance to the boys with his knowledge and help out that way.

“He’s got some specialist appointments over the next couple of weeks. He definitely won’t play this year, what it means moving forward, that’s up to him.

“We are fortunate that we’ve got young Brendan Hands there who probably thought he might not have got a role this year, but he was thrown in the deep end and he did a really good job.

“Now he’s become reliable and is having to play 80-minutes for us week in, week out.’’

St Helens star Joey Lussick is set to replace the hooker at Parramatta Eels.

St Helens confirmed that an agreement has been reached with the NRL club for an undisclosed transfer fee which will see Joey Lussick return home to Australia and leave Saints immediately.

As revealed by Head Coach Paul Wellens following the Saints’ Challenge Cup Semi-Final defeat to Leigh Leopards, the hooker has played his final game for St. Helens, and he leaves with the best wishes of everyone at the Club.

In his time at the Totally Wicked Stadium, Lussick helped the Red V secure the League Leaders’ Shield and the Super League title at Old Trafford in his first season, and earlier this year was part of the team that made history by beating Penrith Panthers to win the World Club Challenge.

Despite having the rest of this and next season to run on his contract, Lussick now returns home to Australia to join an NRL club.

Lussick leaves the Club having made 52 match appearances, scoring 11 tries and kicking 7 goals.