The Canberra Raiders star has backed the decision for the tournament to go ahead in England at the end of the year and pledged to make himself available for selection.

RLWC organisers said the tournament will go ahead as planned despite the world still being in the grips of the coronavirus pandemic.

Every country apart from Australia has vowed to take part in the showcase event.

It comes on the back of the successful running of soccer's European Championships, which were delayed a year before eventually going ahead.

The Australian Rugby League Commission have reservations about player safety at the tournament and were yet to pledge their commitment to the event.

If they opt out that would mean the current and 11-time champions wouldn't be there to defend their crown.

But Hodgson hoped they would change their mind, which would allow England to avenge their 2017 final loss to the Kangaroos.

He said delaying the tournament a year also had its problems as it would then be going head to head with the soccer World Cup - one of the biggest shows on earth.

"It would be massively disappointing [if Australia don't play]," Hodgson said.

"Hopefully we can get it going ... not just for the good of the nations, but the good of the game and the growth of the game.

"If we can get that on the big stage we need the best teams there ... there's a bit of time to work through things yet, but hopefully it gets the go ahead from the Australian side of things."

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Hodgson was happy to take part, with the World Cup set to start on October 23.

He would even put his hand up if it wasn't being held in his home country, where there's the added bonus of being able to catch up with friends and family - something that hasn't been an option since the pandemic shut down world travel last year.

The 31-year-old will be a crucial cog in England's chances of going one better.

"Of course, if we can get it done let's get it done," Hodgson said.

"If we can get the World Cup done - every player as a kid you dream of playing in the World Cup and playing for your country so if we can get it going it's a good year to get it done.

"There's talk of people saying they should push it back a year, but you think for the good of the game and the growth of the game.

"The football World Cup's on next year as well and we don't want to get massively overshadowed by the football World Cup."

Hodgson was unperturbed by speculation about his future and said he loved it in Canberra, where his children were born.

He was linked with a move to the Brisbane Broncos after he stepped down from the Raiders co-captaincy earlier this season.

Despite both the Raiders and Brisbane kiboshing the rumours, the speculation continued until Brisbane rake Jake Turpin re-signed on Thursday.

"My future is in my own hands. I don't really worry too much about what I read," Hodgson said.

"I'm a big man, I make my own decisions on what I do and where I go.

"I'm off contract at the end of next year so it's no time for me to be worrying about anything yet.

"My family's born and bred in Canberra, my kids love it there and no need to go anywhere."

The Raiders were looking to make it six wins in a row against the Cronulla Sharks when they take them on on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

It's a massive game given the 11th-placed Raiders who are just one win behind the eighth-placed Sharks.

"It will be two teams just scrapping for everything, trying to get those two points and trying to chase that eighth spot," Hodgson said.

"They certainly can play some footy, they're a good side and when they're on the front foot they're pretty tough to stop. It's going to be a physical game again."

NRL ROUND 18

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks at the Gold Coast, 3pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Xavier Savage, 2. Semi Valemei, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Sam Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Emre Guler, 11. Corey Harawira-Naera, 12. Hudson Young, 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Joseph Tapine, 16. Iosia Soliola, 17. Ryan James. Reserves: 18. Matthew Timoko, 19. Trey Mooney, 20. Matt Frawley, 21. Harley Smith-Shields.

Sharks squad: 1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Connor Tracey, 4. Jesse Ramien, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Braydon Trindall, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Aaron Woods, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Toby Rudolf. Interchange: 14. Mawene Hiroti, 15. Siosifa Talakai, 16. Jack Williams, 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele. Reserves: 18. Billy Magoulias, 19. Royce Hunt, 20. Andrew Fifita, 21. Luke Metcalf.

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