Rugby: Wallabies lose Hodgson

The Wallabies have been forced to make a late change ahead of their Tri-Nations opener against South Africa with back-rower Matt Hodgson ruled out.

Hodgson, selected on the Australian bench, succumbed to a groin injury on Thursday after suffering a minor strain at training on Tuesday.

Western Force teammate Ben McCalman has replaced him in the reserves to be poised to make his Test debut at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

Hodgson failed to start for the Wallabies in their four June Tests but has been a fixture on the bench and could have played a key ball-pilfering role in the second half against the big Springboks back-row.

Starting openside flanker David Pocock is seen as Australia's "point of difference" player by the Wallabies coaching staff due to his scavenging skills at the breakdown.

Hodgson, a spectator at Australia's Thursday morning training session at Ballymore, is slightly more versatile but comes from the same mould as Pocock.

The Wallabies are confident he'll be fit and available for next week's Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks in Melbourne.

"Matt did it very late running in Tuesday's session and we ran him but (to no avail)," said coach Robbie Deans

"Benny's got a good handle on what's required and he doesn't want for any willingness."

McCalman was plucked from Sydney club rugby last year to travel with the Wallabies on their Grand Slam tour before impressing in his debut Super 14 season with the Force this year.

He's been preferred to Queensland flanker Scott Higginbotham, who is working his way back from an ankle injury, due largely to his greater match fitness.

McCalman, who can play No.8 or blindside flanker, was one of the best Australian Barbarians players in their two midweek matches against England last month and has more rugby under his belt than Higginbotham.

- AAP