Hodgson backs captain's challenge despite late introduction

Canberra co-captain Josh Hodgson likes the concept of the captain's challenge but is not so keen on its late introduction.

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg announced the addition of the rule on Monday after it was used during selected pre-season fixtures.

As the Raiders' general in the middle of the field, the responsibility of when to call for a challenge is likely to fall on Hodgson's shoulders.

"My first thoughts are to ask the players who were around the play, more often than not it's me who speaks to the referee because I'm in the middle," Hodgson told NRL.com.

"The players near the play see something and say 'challenge it' I will go with it because I won't be able to see everything all of the time, you have to be able to rely on your teammates."

However, with the potentially game-changing new rule being implemented only three weeks before the start of the season, Hodgson admitted the Raiders and the rest of the NRL will have their homework to do.

"I like the concept, but I think there's going to be a bit of a teething process while a few things are ironed out," he said.

"We haven't had long to prepare for it so we'll have to study for it for round one, what areas [of the game] where we can use it and where we can't and try a few scenarios in training and see if we can make the right calls at the right moment.

"I like the idea of making the players make a few more decisions not just putting it all down to the referees.

"But I just think the timing could have been a little bit better, they could have told us this at the start of pre-season so we could have a few months to get the scenarios right."

The Raiders should not be affected by the rule change in relation to their proficiency in stripping the ball.

Canberra made the most of the one-on-one stripping rule in 2019, with Hodgson particularly apt.

Under the new rule, a captain may only challenge if there is a stoppage and restart such as the raking of the ball in a two-on-one tackle.

If the referee deems a successful strip to be one-on-one and play continues, the team that loses the ball would not have the chance to appeal.

Hodgson said he is excited to see the growing combination of countryman George Williams and Jack Wighton in the trial win over Canterbury.

The Raiders No.9 doesn't expect the new partnership to be all smooth sailing in the early rounds, but was happy with how things have progressed.

"We had some combinations that worked pretty well, George swung around to the left side a couple of times and we ended up stacking the fullback and both halves on one side," Hodgson said.

"So, we tried a couple of things, George sweeping, George at first receiver so I think we got a lot out of it looking back at the footage."

"He's fit into the structure pretty well."

A new halves pairing to start a season is not new for Canberra after they managed to win six of their first eight games last season with Sam Williams and Aidan Sezer sharing the number seven jersey alongside Wighton.