Canberra Raiders take hats off to New Zealand Warriors

But he admits it's something he might have to do to help keep the NRL alive.

The Warriors have pledged to remain in Australia and keep playing beyond Saturday's game against the Raiders on the Gold Coast.

They've been stuck in a travel limbo since their round-one loss to the Newcastle Knights last weekend.

It means they could face weeks or even months away from their friends and families back in Auckland.

Hodgson has a young family himself and would dread having to leave his wife to fend for herself with the coronavirus sweeping across the planet.

But it's something he might have to do given the NRL is considering moving all of the teams to a centralised location in Queensland if they have to.

Hodgson was unsure whether it would be feasible, but said he'd have to look at it if required - given everything the game has given him and his family.

He applauded the Warriors. And now he'll try to beat them.

"I really take my hat off to them," Hodgson said.

"It must be a really big decision - especially with a few blokes in their team that aren't from there that have got small families and haven't really got a whole lot of family to help them out while they're away.

"I really do take my hat off to them. It's a massive commitment and I know it's not a decision that would've been taken lightly.

"If we ever got that decision put on us too it'd be a really tough one to make.

"But ultimately it's the NRL and rugby league that gives your family their livelihood and that gives you the life you've got.

"We're very lucky to have the life we've got. If we can keep the game going in any way then we've just got to do what we've got to do. Hopefully the world gets back to normal soon."

The NRL are looking to the players to help decide what the protocols around self isolation will be.

Hodgson felt it would all come down to common sense and the players wouldn't be locked in their houses.

Although there might be a few people he was happy to be isolated from.

"There's a couple I tell them I'm in isolation coz they annoy me," Hodgson joked.

"It's just being sensible if you're going somewhere and you know it's going to be heaving.

"I don't think you have to stay in your room, locked in four walls 24 hours a day. I don't think that's what they're saying.

"I think they're saying be sensible. Don't go in and around crowds ... if it does contract in a few players it could be devastating for the competition so we've got to be a little bit more cautious than most."

Hodgson expected to find himself alongside Corey Horsburgh in the middle against the Warriors.

Horsburgh has spent time training in the second row to help cover John Bateman (shoulder) and was named to start there in the Raiders' 24-6 win over the Gold Coast Titans.

But he played at lock with Joe Tapine on the right edge instead.

"'Taps' has played back row for a lot longer than Corey has," he said.

"Corey's got that string to his bow where he can play there if we need him, but I think predominantly Taps is a bit more comfortable, especially defending on an edge there."

NRL ROUND TWO

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors at Gold Coast, 3pm.