England hooker Josh Hodgson ruled out of World Cup final
Sunday 26 November 2017 16:24, UK
England hooker Josh Hodgson will miss Saturday's World Cup final against Australia due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The 28-year-old sustained the injury in Saturday's 20-18 semi-final victory over Tonga and MRI scans have confirmed the worst fears of head coach Wayne Bennett.
An England spokesman said: "Hodgson will now return to Canberra for a specialist review with a view to operate."
Hodgson, who has started four of England's five World Cup matches, went off with a knee injury after 23 minutes of the game at Auckland's Mount Smart Stadium and failed to return.
Bennett hinted at the potential seriousness of the injury in the post-match press conference when he said: "I'm not sure what's going on there. I don't think he'll be right to play next week. You don't normally limp off like that and play next week."
England say scans on Sunday revealed Hodgson has suffered an ACL injury which normally means a knee reconstruction which could sideline him for up to nine months.
Hodgson has been a major success in the NRL since moving to Canberra three years ago and only this week spoke of his happiness over signing a new five-year contract.
It is a blow to England as they prepare to face holders Australia in Saturday's final at Suncorp Stadium but at least they have another in-form hooker to call on.
James Roby, who was on the bench on Sunday, went on to win his 30th cap as a replacement for Hodgson and is ready to step into a starting role.
"It's obviously bad news for Josh and I feel for him," said Roby. "If that means me starting, I'm going to have to get ready to get going from the off."
With no other specialist hooker in his 24-man squad, Bennett may call on the versatile Stefan Ratchford or half-back George Williams to provide back-up against the Kangaroos, although Roby insists he could play 80 minutes if required.
"I'm used to playing 80 minutes but these World Cup games are that intense," he said. "If I have to do 80, I'll put my hand up and do my best."
England have yet to provide an update on captain Sean O'Loughlin, who is also a doubt after picking up a quad strain against Tonga.
