Justin Hodges

Justin Hodges (born 25 May 1982) is an Australian professional boxer and former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s.

Hodges was born in Cairns, Queensland on born 25 May 1982.

He grew up there and played his junior rugby league for Cairns Kangaroos Juniors, as U11 Premiers in 1992, through to undefeated U16's in 1998, before being signed by the Brisbane Broncos.

In round 14 of the 2000 NRL season, Hodges made his debut in the National Rugby League for the Brisbane Broncos on the against the Canberra Raiders at Canberra Stadium.

He played well, saving two tries in a losing 16-14 Broncos team.

In round 16 against the Melbourne Storm at Olympic Park, Hodges scored his first NRL career try in the Broncos 16–12 loss.

Hodges finished his debut year in the NRL having played in 5 matches and scored 2 tries for the 2000 Brisbane Broncos season.

Hodges was promoted to the full-time NRL team for the 2001 Brisbane Broncos season, however only played in 12 matches and scored 4 tries for the club.

The Broncos failed to re-sign Hodges before 30 June anti-tampering date, which was to prevent clubs taking players from other clubs.

Hodges then signed a three-year deal with the Sydney Roosters.

Feeling betrayed by his defection, Broncos coach Wayne Bennett told Hodges that his services were no longer required and pushed him back to the Broncos' feeder club, the Toowoomba Clydesdales.

After the feud between coach Bennett and Hodges earlier in 2001, some critics felt that Hodges would not be able to fit well into the Broncos team.

But during an off season camp, Hodges and Bennett sorted things out and all Hodges wanted to do was play rugby league.

Hodges stated that he did not regret going to Sydney, but felt it was time to go home back to Brisbane.

Former Brisbane Broncos captain Gorden Tallis backed Hodges return to the Broncos, despite some fans questioning the merits in which Hodges returned.

Hodges's return caused a problem for the Broncos.

A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative, Hodges started his career in the National Rugby League with the Brisbane Broncos before moving to the Sydney Roosters, with whom he won the 2002 NRL Premiership, before returning to the Broncos in 2005, and winning the 2006 NRL Premiership.

He also captained the Broncos.

Hodges signed with the Sydney Roosters for the 2002 NRL season.

In round 1 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at SFS, Hodges made his club debut for the Sydney Roosters in the 40–6 win.

In Round 4 against the Northern Eagles at Brookvale Oval, Hodges scored his first and second club tries for the Roosters in the 28–22 loss.

During the 2002 season, Hodges made headlines for all the wrong reasons, which included a disastrous State of Origin debut where he threw two in goal passes which turned into tries for the opposing team even though Queensland won 26-18 He was also punched by Brisbane Broncos player Casey McGuire in the Roosters 16-12 preliminary final win at SFS.

On 6 October 2002, Hodges played at centre in the Sydney Roosters 2002 NRL Grand Final 30–8 victory against the New Zealand Warriors.

Hodges played in 26 matches and scored 11 tries for the 2002 Sydney Roosters season.

Having won the 2002 NRL Premiership, the Roosters travelled to England to play the 2003 World Club Challenge against Super League champions, St Helens R.F.C. Hodges played at centre in the Roosters 38–0 victory.

In Game 1 of the 2003 State of Origin series, Hodges suffered a serious knee injury, damaging the cruciate ligament in his left knee early in the second half of the match in Queensland's 25–12 loss.

The game was played at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium and Hodges considered legal action against the stadium for the poor state of the playing surface.

However, he decided not to take legal action against the stadium.

Hodges played in 11 matches and scored 8 tries for the Roosters in the 2003 NRL season.

In early 2004, Hodges broke up with his long-time girlfriend and was given two weeks sympathy leave from the Sydney Roosters.

Hodges caused further disruption to the Roosters when he missed a training session and club functions to spend time with his friends and family.

After Hodges played in Game 1 of the 2004 State of Origin series in the Maroons 9–8 loss at ANZ Stadium, Roosters coach Ricky Stuart put Hodges into the lower grade premier league.

Hodges however, made it back into the first grade Roosters team in round 12, scoring a hat-trick against the New Zealand Warriors in the Roosters 58–6 win at ANZ Stadium.

In the following week in round 13, Hodges was sent off for a high shot on Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs player and Queensland teammate Steve Price in the Roosters 40–12 loss at ANZ Stadium.

Hodges was subsequently suspended for 6 weeks.

In mid 2004, Hodges went to Brisbane to talk to Broncos coach Wayne Bennett to seek a return to the Broncos.

This was approved by Roosters boss Brian Canavan, but Roosters coach Stuart did not know that Hodges wanted a release from the club.

After several off-field incidents, Hodges was expected to leave the Roosters mid-season and go to the Broncos, but the Broncos did not want this.

On 4 October 2004, Hodges played for the Roosters at centre in their 2004 NRL Grand Final 16–13 loss against cross-Sydney rivals, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Hodges played in 21 matches and scored 7 tries in his last year with the Sydney Roosters.