Michael Hodge (born 27 May 1989) is a former rugby union player. His regular playing position was either wing or centre. He has represented Australia national rugby sevens team and was named in the Waratahs squad ahead of the

2013 Super Rugby season The 2013 Super Rugby season was the third season of the new 15-team format for the Super Rugby competition involving teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The tournament was won by the Chiefs, who defeated the Canberra-based Brumb ...

. Hodge accepted a position as Head Coach for the Dallas Texas USA based Major League Rugby (MLR) franchise the Dallas Jackals in the Spring of 2021. COVID19-related visa delays meant that Michael was unable to move to Texas before the MLR season was due to start, leading him to withdraw from the role.

Amateur career

Michael grew up in

Canberra Canberra ( ) is the capital city of Australia. Founded following the federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The ci ...

and joined the

Sydney University The University of Sydney (USYD), also known as Sydney University, or informally Sydney Uni, is a public research university located in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and is one of the country's six ...

Football Club as an 18-year-old in 2008. That year, the 1st Colts won an undefeated premiership and Michael was awarded 1st Colts, Best and Fairest. He went on to play 70 1st Grade games, and in 2012 won his first Shute Shield Premiership and was awarded 1st Grade Players Player.

Professional career

After professional rugby stints with the Australian Sevens team and the NSW Waratahs, Michael retired from playing and took up a role as Senior Mathematics teacher and 1st XV Coach at Cranbrook School.

Coaching career

Michael then returned to the Sydney University Football Club in November 2018, as Director of Rugby. During his time he held additional coaching positions as U20s Head Coach, 1st Team Head Coach and Head of High Performance. In Spring 2021 he was appointed Head Coach of Major League Rugby expansion team, the Dallas Jackals. Hodge began the role remotely from Australia, but was ultimately unable to enter the U.S. in time for the beginning of the season due to COVID-19-related visa processing delays. Without a qualified professional coach, the franchise did not win a game their first season in the league.

Reference List

External links

Waratahs player profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hodge, Michael 1989 births Australian rugby union players New South Wales Waratahs players Rugby union wings Rugby union centres Living people Sydney Stars players Rugby union players from Canberra