Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson will have one eye on the Challenge Cup as his old club Hull KR attempts to win the prestigious knockout competition for the first time since 1980.
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While Hodgson's focus will be on helping the Raiders send off their home fans with a much-needed victory against the Penrith Panthers at Canberra Stadium on Monday night, the English international also has a vested interest in proceedings in his home country.
Hull KR will attempt to break a 35-year drought in the Challenge Cup when they take on traditional powerhouse Leeds in front of a packed house at Wembley Stadium on Sunday morning (Australian time).
Hodgson played 132 games for Hull KR and was the club's co-captain alongside Travis Burns last year before he joined the Raiders this season.
"I'm over the moon for them, it's a massive day for all the lads and everyone involved with the club," Hodgson said.
"We haven't had so much to cheer about over the years recently and I think it's their first Challenge Cup appearance in the final since 1986.
"No matter what the outcome, I'm sure it will be a great day, but obviously I hope the outcome goes Hull KR's way.
"Anyone would love to be in the final, whether it's (in Australia) or in England, but I made the choice to come over here and play and live here and try and make a success of myself.
"I don't have any regrets about that, all I hope is the boys can go and win it and create a bit of history because it'll be remembered for a long time."
Hodgson has been an outstanding signing for the Raiders with his excellent work rate at dummy-half and adjusting to the increased speed of the NRL.
The Raiders still have a presence at Hull KR, with prop Dane Tilse joining the club mid-season, while former captain Terry Campese has unfortunately been sidelined with a knee injury.
Hull KR coach Chris Chester spoke with Hodgson to get his thoughts on Tilse before putting pen to paper.
"When Chris asked about (Tilse), I said, 'he'll be a great player for you', and from all accounts he's been going really well," Hodgson said.
"He's a champion bloke, he made me feel really welcome and speaking to the other boys at the Raiders, they echo what I thought when I first met him.
"It's good to see him getting in the final."
After making his international debut in last year's Four Nations series, Hodgson is aiming to retain his place in the England squad when they host New Zealand at the end of the year.
"It was good to play in the Four Nations and I'm a totally different player now to what I was a year ago," Hodgson said.
"It sounds crazy, but the game speed over here and the little things in a game that make a massive difference has improved my game.
"I'm better for the experience and I'm confident if I did get picked I'd do a lot better job this year."
NRL ROUND 25
Monday: Raiders v Panthers at Canberra Stadium, 7pm. Tickets at Ticketek. TV: Live on Fox Sports 1.
