Warrington coach Tony Smith has defended his decision to sign veteran full-back Brett Hodgson.
Wolves boss predicts big things from Hodgson
Warrington coach Tony Smith believes his decision to sign veteran full-back Brett Hodgson is justified on the grounds of the engage Super League no longer being a young man's game.
Hodgson, the 2009 Man of Steel who turns 33 on the opening day of the new campaign, joined the Wolves after Huddersfield were prepared to offer him only a 12-month deal when his original two-year contract ran out at the end of last season.
Richard Mathers, at 27 more than five years younger than his predecessor, moved to Castleford to accommodate the ageing Australian, who has signed a two-year contract at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
"Once upon a time 33 was a ripe old age to play rugby league but, with this generation, which has been fully professional since leaving school, I don't think it's as big an issue any more," he said.
Preparation
"I think you are finding there are a lot more older players able to play because of their knowledge of rehabilitation and the way they recuperate their bodies after matches and at the end of seasons.
"The way they now work their bodies in preparation for the season enhances how long they can play for."
The facts support Smith's argument, with more thirtysomethings set to start Super League XVI than ever before.
Hodgson is not even the oldest player at Warrington, with evergreen captain Adrian Morley turning 34 in May, and he has two years left on his current contract. Australian forward Steve Menzies is also still going strong at 37, having recently joined Catalans Dragons.
"You look at Moz (Morley) and he looks like he's getting younger every year," added Smith. "He was up there vying for Man of Steel last year.
"It's more common nowadays and the ones that look after themselves in the early part of their careers can extend them by a long way.
"Brett is one of those but we'll also look after Brett. We haven't brought him here to play all 27 rounds and every round of the Challenge Cup.
"We're well aware of his age and we want to get the most out of him throughout these next two years.
"We've got some pretty handy players who can step into his shoes when he's not there."
Turnover
Smith has also brought in experienced Australian Test three-quarter Joel Monaghan and is likely to give more first-team chances this year to youngsters such as Rhys Evans and Rhys Williams, who both made their Super League debuts in 2010.
"We lost four players from last year but we feel those two people coming in have strengthened our squad and, on top of that, we've promoted some very good young boys and that gives us the feeling that we've got more depth than ever," he said.
"There are some really good kids. Rhys Evans did particularly well in the England game against Australian schoolboys and his brother Ben wasn't far off.
"Rhys Williams had a really strong series for Wales and Gaz O'Brien was also very good against the Australians."
