Steely Justin Hodges tempered by baptism of fire in Origin debut With less than 48 hours before the match Steve Turner and Steve Renouf join us to give their insights on Origin. IT was supposed to be the biggest moment of his rugby league life, yet Justin Hodges felt as if he was stumbling around in a torture chamber. In Game Two of the 2002 series, a teenage Hodges was not quite ready for the challenge thrust upon him. It showed as he threw two reckless in-goal passes that led to tries. More than a decade on, the footage still floats around on YouTube with more than 35,000 hits. Some thought Hodges might never be seen again at Origin level. Even he fleetingly wondered whether he would continue to play again at all as he lay on his couch heartbroken, barely able to watch the game, never mind play it. As he enters what could be his farewell series, Hodges insists that experience, as brutal as it was, matured him on and off the field and played a role in making him the robust match winner he is today. "I look back now and feel it has made me a stronger person and a player," Hodges said. In my first Origin I was 19 and Wayne (Bennett) put me on the wing. I had never played wing in my life. All that sort of stuff got to me. I was nervous. Chat live with Gorden Tallis HORROR GAME: Justin Hodges trudges off in 2002. It was a massive occasion. I was a young kid sitting back watching it and all of a sudden I was a young boy doing it. I think it just got the better of me but the experience of it made me stronger. No matter what his representative future is, Hodges hopes to play on for the Broncos for three or four more years, meaning he could have a 16 or 17-year first-class career. For Hodges to last the best part of two decades would be a remarkable achievement for a player who resists tackles with the desperation of an angry fisherman wrestling over a stolen crab pot. "I always said I would try to play until I was 34 or 35," Hodges said. I turned 31 the other day. Due to injury, Hodges has played more than 20 games in a season only three times, in a career that started at the Broncos in 2000 before he headed to the Sydney Roosters then returned. "Hodgo would have probably liked to have played a bit better at rep level recently, but his preparations have been hampered by injury," his former captain Darren Lockyer blogged yesterday on couriermail.com.au. Justin Hodges at Queensland Origin training. The more he gets into dummy half on Wednesday night the better for Queensland and for Justin. Hodges reached the 200 first-grade game mark late last season and the one positive from his injuries is that they may prolong his career. "It does get harder every year on your body," he said. Me and (Queensland roommate) Brent Tate were just talking about how many years we have left in the game. Obviously I like to have the ball in my hand. That is something I always pride myself on. Getting in and helping out the forwards and taking the ball up as many times as I can and playing it tough. It does have an impact on your body but hopefully my body can handle it for a few more years.