Reece Hodge to miss November series for Australia with ankle injury
Reece Hodge suffered ankle injury
©PA
Melbourne Rebels utility back Reece Hodge has been ruled out of the final Bledisloe Cup clash against New Zealand and November internationals for Australia following an ankle injury.
The 24-year-old picked up the injury during a training session ahead of the squad's departure to Japan where they face All Blacks Yokohama. Hodge has played all nine Tests for Australia this season and his absence will be a big blow to head coach Michael Cheika.
Meanwhile, Hodge's Rebels team-mate Angus Cottrell has also been sidelined with an ankle problem and is certain to miss next Saturday's game against New Zealand. His participation in the end of the year European tour is also highly doubtful according to Rugby Australia.
Samu Kerevi has been drafted back into the squad after missing the entire Rugby Championship following a bicep injury but Cheika expressed confidence that he will overcome the setback with his experience.
"He's got a good block of training under his belt and he is probably a bit underdone but he has a lot of experience as well," Cheika said.
"We will decide once he arrives and we get him on the training paddock whether we think he is in the sort of condition he needs to be to play at least some part this weekend."
Australia squad (Revised):
Forwards: Jermaine Ainsley, Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Jack Dempsey, Folau Fainga'a, Ned Hanigan, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper (capt), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, David Pocock, Izack Rodda, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou
Backs: Tom Banks, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Jake Gordon, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Jack Maddocks, Sefa Naivalu, Nick Phipps
