Wallabies flanker Richard Hardwick has set his sights on filling the shoes of retiring great Matt Hodgson after re-signing with the Western Force for the 2018 Super Rugby season.
Hardwick has enjoyed a meteoric rise this season, capped by his elevation into the Wallabies squad for the recent Tests against Fiji and Scotland.
The 23-year-old has played 17 times for the Force since making his debut last year, and is ranked in the top 10 in Super Rugby for forced turnovers this season.
Hardwick can play anywhere in the back row.
But with Hodgson retiring at the end of the season, Hardwick wants to take over the responsibility of being the team's go-to option.
"With Hodgo hanging up the boots, I want to step up and play in that No.7 jersey and try the best I can to fill his boots," Hodgson said.
"He's a legend of our club and he's done so much for the club, but I'll do my best to give everything to the team."
Hardwick is one of Western Australia's rugby success stories, with the back-rower coming up through the state's junior ranks before being signed by the Force as part of their extended playing squad.
The Namibia-born 23-year-old said it was an easy decision to re-sign with the Force, despite the Perth-based franchise facing an uncertain future.
"WA is my home. It's where I was brought up, and I've played all my rugby in WA," Hardwick said.
"I've got mates who have done the same thing, like Ross Haylett-Petty and Chance Peni, who I played with when I was 15.
"WA is producing the goods and it's not going to be long before they (Haylett-Petty and Peni) are in the Wallabies squad as well."
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