England 20 Exiles 32: Hodgson returns as Exiles thwart England challenge

The graceful Warrington Wolves full-back, who won Super League’s Man of Steel in 2009 following a brilliant spell at the Galpharm, shows no signs of slowing up even at the age of 34.

Indeed, neither does fellow Australian Steve Menzies, the legendary 38-year-old second-row who joined his ex-New South Wales colleague to help the Exiles torment England on a regular basis here.

It again left plenty of question marks for Steve McNamara’s side, who trailed just 16-10 at the break but were eventually outdone by too much Antipodean class.

Admittedly, he had left out some of his stellar performers, including Sam Tomkins, Ryan Hall and Sean O’Loughlin, but it was still worrying the manner in which Exiles captain Hodgson – who missed the first game which England won 18-10 – could so easily unpick their defence with a few moments of class.

He scored two tries, created another two and added goals but, similarly, Salford City Reds stand-off Daniel Holdsworth had an outstanding game.

He certainly got the better of club colleague and debuting England No 6 Matty Smith with a series of pin-point passes and cutting attacks continually opening up the hosts’ fragile left-hand flank.

Hodgson benefited as early as the fourth minute when Holdsworth’s long pass set Joel Monaghan free. The England defence seemed to have recovered but were then made to look foolish as Scott Dureau pirouetted 360 degrees untouched before finding Hodgson.

The ex-Parammatta star converted and it was his side who went on to dominate the early proceedings, throwing the ball around with real abandon and regularly looking dangerous.

James Roby and Tom Briscoe were called upon to hold up a supporting Holdsworth after he had unleashed Monaghan a second time while Hull FC’s Willie Manu linked brilliantly with Daryl Millard down the left only for Huddersfield’s Leroy Cudjoe to deny him further.

Admittedly, after the torrential deluge that ruined the first game, blue skies and evening sunshine in Huddersfield were more than welcome.

England enjoyed the improved conditions just as much, though, Danny Brough zipping around on his debut and Cudjoe looking equally as sprightly in the centre.

The pair combined sharply to give Josh Charnley a sight of the line but it was a moment of individual brilliance which saw England score their first try.

Ryan Atkins, allowed to leave Bradford as an untried youngster back in 2006, has certainly advanced in the interim. Picking up at the play-the-ball 10m from his own line, the Warrington centre spotted space behind the ruck, skipped clear of Menzies and then evaded a diving Manu and Hodgson before completing a 90m sprint for a marvellous score.

Brough converted to secure his first England points but the Exiles remained the more potent, highlighted when – not for the first time – the quality Catalan star Menzies made a searing raid through England’s weak left channel.

Stefan Ratchford, deputising for Tomkins, wrapped up the supporting Scott Dureau and ripped possession in the same motion.

However, Scott Taylor, the Hull KR prop making his debut, soon spilled and the Exiles pounced right on the hooter as Hodgson’s long flat pass caused mayhem again for Monaghan to slide over.

It was a similar fired pass from Hodgson which saw Francis Meli squeeze in at the corner for the first of his two tries before Hodgson swirled over himself soon after.

However, Dureau dropped the restart gifting England a much-needed chance to strike, which they did when Briscoe showed his finishing prowess off Brough’s fine pass.

But then Hodgson came to the fore once more to put Meli storming in for his second.

Cudjoe sauntered over for a deserved score as Lee Mossop, Smith and Leeds Rhinos’ Carl Ablett showed good hands, Brough kicking his second goal.

Referee Ben Thaler did not award a penalty to either side until the 54th minute, which some would argue showed there is not the necessary rivalry yet here in this fixture which is still in its embryonic stages.

Just as at St Helens, there was certainly a lack of atmosphere again among the 7,865 crowd as well but, as the scoreline clearly shows, it remains a far sterner test than facing the French.

Hodgson, fittingly, lifted the International Origin trophy, the Exiles retaining it having won the inaugural event last season.

England: Ratchford, Charnley, Cudjoe, Atkins, Briscoe, Smith, Brough, Crabtree, Roby, Carvell, Ablett, Wilkin, Jones-Buchanan. Substitutes: Burrow, Mossop, Farrell, Taylor.

Exiles: Hodgson, Monaghan, Millard, Moon, Meli, Holdsworth, Dureau, Laffranchi, L’Estrange, Lauaki, Manu, Menzies, Soliola. Substitutes: Withers, Leuluai, Kaufusi, Mika.

Referee: B Thaler (Wakefield).