Hodges get thumbs down from Meninga

He may be feeling the heat over his call on Brisbane's No.1 jersey and Justin Hodges has also been criticised for volunteering as Brisbane's No.6.

Brisbane NRL veteran Justin Hodges

Brisbane NRL veteran Justin Hodges has been criticised for volunteering as the Broncos' next No.6. (AAP)

His honest view on who should wear the Brisbane No.1 jersey may have caused a stir and veteran Justin Hodges has also received the thumbs down from Mal Meninga for volunteering as the Broncos' next No.6.

Josh Hoffman may be New Zealand's fullback at the World Cup but he is reportedly stewing over Brisbane teammate Hodges' candid comment to AAP that he "was not the right guy" for the Broncos No.1 role.

With new recruit Ben Barba all but guaranteed first shot at Broncos fullback next season, it is believed Hodges' claim has renewed Hoffman's threat to walk away from the NRL club despite being contracted until the end of 2015.

Incumbent No.1 Hoffman has been urged by former Broncos fullback Colin Scott to stay and accept the challenge posed by Dally M Medallist Barba's imminent arrival.

"I am a big fan of Josh. I think he is a great footballer. It's a shame to see things like that happen but I urge him to accept the challenge," Scott told AAP.

However, Hodges has also come under criticism from all conquering Queensland State of Origin coach Meninga for asking to fill the five-eighth void left at the Broncos by Scott Prince's retirement and Peter Wallace's return to Penrith.

Hodges believes switching from the centres to pivot will help him ease into his return from an Achilles injury that cut short his 2013 season and eventually extend his career.

"It's been spoken about (at the club) and for me I think it will be good," Hodges told AAP.

"It will change the way I play but coming back it will make it a lot easier.

"It will take away from my running game but with guys like Benny Barba coming hopefully that will take some pressure off them.

"And I think playing five-eighth will extend my career - I can just dish the ball out to the quicker blokes."

However, Meninga questioned the move despite mystery surrounding who will partner halfback Ben Hunt next year.

"There is no doubt he is skilful enough (to be an NRL five-eighth)," Meninga told the Former Origin Greats website.

"But the big problem is that he will not have the one weapon every five-eighth in the game would love to have - and that is Justin Hodges standing in the centres running onto the ball.

"Hodgo has been so important for the Broncos in the last few years. He really takes on an enormous workload in attack for them, and shifting away from the centres will really dilute one of their best weapons.

"It really would be a case of weakening a strength to strengthen a weakness."


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Source: AAP


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