Lealiifano reveals why he let Reece Hodge takeover the goal kicking against Fiji

Veteran Wallaby five-eighth Christian Lealiifano has revealed the real reason he gave up the goalkicking duties in Australia's opening Rugby World Cup victory over Fiji.

Lealiifano took just three shots at goal before handing over the duties to Reece Hodge. At the time Lealiifano was 1 from 3 from the tee.

He admitted that he handed over the duties to his teammate because he lost confidence, but said there was a mitigating circumstance.

“I just got a bit of a poke in the eye and it was a bit blurry,” he said. “I wasn't confident enough to put that at risk for a Test match and I backed Reece Hodge to take over from there.”

The veteran flyhalf said there was no suggestion the poke in the eye was illegal but rather the result of one of the of massive hits he received during the game when the Fijians targeted him for heavy punishment.

Fiji are putting on a big hit clinic today. #BOOMFA#AUSvFIJ #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/edyOJGhb1v

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) September 21, 2019

“It didn’t affect my overall game, just kicking when you've really got to focus on striking a target, things like that, I wasn't comfortable doing that.”

Quotes via: FoxSports