{"id":323647,"date":"2023-08-15T04:45:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-15T04:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=323647"},"modified":"2023-08-15T05:58:29","modified_gmt":"2023-08-15T05:58:29","slug":"former-all-black-defects-in-hope-of-joining-wallabies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=323647","title":{"rendered":"Former All Black defects in hope of joining Wallabies"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Queensland Reds<\/a> have signed two former All Blacks<\/a>, one who could conceivably play for the Wallabies<\/a> next year.<\/p>\n

Props Alex Hodgman and Jeffery Toomaga-Allen have both signed two-year deals to wear the maroon jersey in Super Rugby Pacific<\/a> through to 2025.\ufeff<\/p>\n

Between them, they bring experience in Super Rugby Pacific, Premiership Rugby in England and the cross-continent United Rugby Championship.<\/p>\n

Watch the 2023 Rugby World Cup and Summer Nations Series on the home of rugby, Stan Sport.<\/strong><\/em> All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Hodgman played four Tests for the All Blacks in 2020 while Toomaga-Allen has just one start in 2013.<\/p>\n

\"Alex<\/p>\n

Under World Rugby's regulation eight eligibility law, Hodgman could play for the Wallabies given his father was born in Australia.<\/p>\n

He can be selected after this year's Rugby World Cup given the time lapsed since he last represented the All Blacks, which will be three years by November.<\/p>\n

"I don't want to talk about it too much," Hodgman said with a wry smile.<\/p>\n

"I'm always pushing to be the best that I can be, so if things fall in place and there's an opportunity to play, I'd definitely love to take it.<\/p>\n

"It's just how do I get to the Reds, how do I do my best there, how do I grow, how do I get the most out of that environment, that's it. One step at a time for me."<\/p>\n

\"Caleb<\/p>\n

Incoming Reds coach Les Kiss added, "We're pleased to welcome two props of the calibre of Alex and Jeffery to our squad.<\/p>\n

"Both bring experience at the highest level and will strengthen our tight five on and off the field.<\/p>\n

"There's been a strong culture of care and connection built at Ballymore over the past few years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

"After talking to both Alex and Jeff, they both have a team-first mentality and will only bolster these values over the next two seasons.<\/p>\n

"In addition, having a player of Alex's ability qualifying for Wallaby selection in 2024 is great for Australian Rugby."<\/p>\n

\"Jeffery<\/p>\n

Hodgman comes to the team off the back of a lengthy stint with the Blues, who he represented since 2017\ufeff and made 56 appearances.<\/p>\n

Toomaga-Allen, meanwhile, arrives fresh from a\ufeff two-year spell with Ulster in the United Rugby Championship.<\/p>\n

Now, the pair will call Ballymore home in 2024 as the Reds look to turn their fortunes around and mount a title tilt with new head coach Les Kiss.<\/p>\n

"I can't wait to join the club," said Toomaga-Allen.<\/p>\n

"I'm excited to be coming back to Super Rugby after being away for a few years and getting to know everyone at the Reds.<\/p>\n

"I'm feeling really blessed to be able to be closer to family which is a big part of why I joined the organisation.<\/p>\n

"When speaking to Les and Sam, we talked about the importance of family and how we as a team can keep growing as a unit on and off the field which was a big drawcard for me.<\/p>\n

"I'm keen to get amongst the community in Queensland and looking forward to connecting with all the supporters around the state."<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/kinson88\/status\/1691013026257006592<\/a><\/p>\n

The signing of the two ex-All Blacks comes in the wake of several high-profile departures.<\/p>\n

The Reds have lost Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Scott-Young, Taniela Tupou and Harry Hoopert across the past two seasons.<\/p>\n

The Reds will have a front-row full of international experience with hooker Matt Faessler and prop Zane Nonggorr who are both headed to the Rugby World Cup this year for the Wallabies.<\/p>\n

The Reds recently re-signed Fiji star Peni Ravai and welcomed Massimo De Lutiis to its stable.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Queensland Reds have signed two former All Blacks, one who could conceivably play for the Wallabies next year. Props Alex Hodgman and Jeffery Toomaga-Allen […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":323649,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/323647"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=323647"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/323647\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":323653,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/323647\/revisions\/323653"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/323649"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=323647"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=323647"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=323647"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}