All Black prop eligible for Wallabies switch after signing deal with Reds

The Queensland Reds have secured not one but two All Black props for next season one two-year deals.

Former Blues prop Alex Hodgman, 27, and ex-Hurricane Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 32, will head to Ballymore in 2024 and for Hodgman the possibility exists of wearing green and gold in the very near future.

Hodgman’s father was born in Australia, making him eligible, and he will become an Australian-based player once he joins the Reds.

In November his international stand down period will end after being last capped by the All Blacks in 2020 in a Bledisloe Cup clash against the Wallabies.

The prospect of wearing the Wallabies jersey is one Hodgman said he’d ‘love to take’ if the opportunity arose.

“I don’t want to talk about it too much,” Hodgman told Stuff.co.nz.

“I’m always pushing to be the best that I can be, so if things fall in place and there’s an opportunity to play, I’d definitely love to take it.

“[For now] It’s just how do I get to the Reds, how do I do my best there, how do I grow, how do I get the most out of that environment, that’s it.

“One step at a time for me”.

After losing key front depth with Wallabies star Taniela Tupou moving to Melbourne to join the Reds, the pair of ex-All Blacks helps bolster the tight five for incoming coach Les Kiss.

Kiss said in a statement: “We’re pleased to welcome two props of the calibre of Alex and Jeffery to our squad.

“Both bring experience at the highest level and will strengthen our tight five on-and-off the field.

“There’s been a strong culture of care and connection built at Ballymore over the past few years. After talking to both Alex and Jeff, they both have a team-first mentality and will only bolster these values over the next two seasons.

“In addition, having a player of Alex’s ability qualifying for Wallaby selection in 2024 is great for Australian Rugby.”