Jehoida Hodges

Joseph Jehoida Hodges[4] (15 July 1876 – 13 September 1930) was a Welsh international rugby union player.[3] He was a member of the winning Welsh team who beat the 1905 touring All Blacks. He played club rugby for London Welsh and Newport RFC.

Jehoida Hodges
Hodges in Newport jersey
Birth nameJoseph Jehoida Hodges
Date of birth(1876-07-15)15 July 1876
Place of birthRisca,[1] Monmouthshire, Wales
Date of death13 September 1930(1930-09-13) (aged 54)
Place of deathWaunlwyd, Wales
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)[2]
Weight13 st (182 lb; 83 kg)
Occupation(s)miner
publican
Rugby union career
Position(s) Forward
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
???
1897/1909		 London Welsh
Newport RFC		 ???
252[3]		 ???
(90)
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1899-1906 Wales 23 (18)

Hodges, along with fellow Welsh internationals George Boots, and later George Travers is recognised with adopting forward formation play in scrums and line outs. Although forwards were responsible for these areas of play there was little defined tactics or specialisation before the early twentieth century. Hodges helped bring tactical formations and therefore a level of specialisation to forward play.[2] He was described as a hard working and an excellent all-round player who could fill in at most positions,[5] even on the wing.[6]

International career

Wales

Hodges made his debut for Wales against England in 1899, after only his second season playing for Newport. Hodges played in three Triple Crown winning campaigns, provided forward resistance[7] against the famous 1905 All Black 'loose head' and was part of Wales' first away win to Scotland. The later included a full on fist fight between the packs.[2]

One of Hodges most impressive moments in a Welsh shirt was in the 1903 match against England. Welsh winger Tom Pearson had taken a heavy blow to the ribs by England's notoriously heavy tackler[8] Gamlin, and was forced to retire. Hodges showed his famous adaptability when moved to the wing to cover Pearson's position and scored three tries in a 21-5 victory for the Welsh.[8]

1905 Wales squad, Hodges, middle row, second from left

International games played

Wales[9]

  • England 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906
  • Ireland 1899, 1900, 1902, 1903, 1905, 1906
  • New Zealand 1905
  • Scotland 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906

Later career and death

After leaving club rugby Hodges became a publican, first at the Salvation Hotel in Newport and then at the Park Hotel, Waunlwyd. Hodges died on 13 September 1930; his body was returned to his birth town of Risca where he was buried on 17 September at Cromwell Road cemetery. His coffin was borne by former Welsh internationals.

Bibliography
  • Parry-Jones, David (1999). Prince Gwyn, Gwyn Nicholls and the First Golden Era of Welsh Rugby. Bridgend: seren. ISBN 1-85411-262-7.
  • Thomas, Wayne (1979). A Century of Welsh Rugby Players. Ansells Ltd.
  • Smith, David; Williams, Gareth (1980). Fields of Praise: The Official History of The Welsh Rugby Union. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. ISBN 0-7083-0766-3.

References
  1. WRU player profile
  2. Thomas (1979), pg 24.
  3. "Newport RFC Personnel Profile". Archived from the original on 2011-05-18. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
  4. Newport Gwent Dragons player profiles Archived 2011-05-18 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Smith (1980), pg 115.
  6. Parry-Jones (1999), pg 102.
  7. Smith (1980), pg 152.
  8. Smith (1980), pg 143.
  9. Smith (1980), pg 467.
Rugby Union Captain
Preceded by
George Boots		 Newport RFC Captain
1904-1905		 Succeeded by
Wyatt Gould
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