Hodge, who has 17 Tests to his name, started on the wing last year in a match Australia ended up losing 18-10 in Pretoria despite scoring the only try of the match - via Scott Sio - and opening up an early seven-point lead.

He feels there are lessons to be learned from the team's most recent game in Canberra where the Wallabies started slowly before thumping Argentina in the second half for a 25-point win, their biggest since the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

"We were definitely in the box seat for a lot of the game [last year] and we probably just got a bit frustrated," Hodge said. "[We felt like we] needed to score every time we were down in their half.

"Definitely patience is something that came out of that game last year and taking our chances because we created enough but they took theirs a lot better than we did.

"In [Canberra] it was about building pressure in that second half. We talked a lot about not having to score off every phase, not getting panicked that we were behind by three."

Since that game in Pretoria, Hodge has gone full circle - switching to the centres at the end of last year, then warming the bench in the June series and Bledisloe Cup, before re-establishing himself on the wing.

It is his versatility and ability to play a number of positions in the backline that makes him an enticing option for coach Michael Cheika.

"I have played [on the wing] for seven or eight Test matches in my 17, so I'm pretty comfortable in that position," Hodge said. "It's great to get some game time.

"Obviously the more positions you play, the more chance you have of being in the team. It's just about performing week to week wherever I am.

"I am not too fussed where I play. I just love being out for the start of the game rather than coming off the bench. In saying that, if that's what the coaches think is best for the team, then that's the position I will play."

With Kurtley Beale playing well at No.12, Hodge could be a back-up No.10 if Bernard Foley was injured - something he isn't thinking about but assures he is ready to do if required.

"Obviously without Quade [Cooper] in the squad I have had to spend a bit more time there at training and it's been good to get my head around a few different positions," Hodge said. "The transfer of skills between 10, 12, 13 and wing is quite good. It can only be beneficial going forward."

Last year in South Africa, Wallabies skills coach Mick Byrne said Hodge possessed one of the best boots he'd ever seen. "It's pretty prodigious ??? I'd say it's as good as some of the AFL guys when he gets hold of it."

Back at altitude, where a rugby ball travels much further than normal, Hodge will be licking his lips knowing he could nail a penalty from up to 65 metres out if required.

He is happy to let first-choice kicker Foley do the majority of work but has put his hand up if captain Michael Hooper decides the Wallabies should have a crack at three points from long-range.

"I won't comment on predicting range, we'll see how it goes during the game," Hodge said. "There's obviously a lot of good kickers in this team and Nard [Bernard Foley] is kicking at 100 per cent the last few weeks.

"If I'm called upon I'll be ready but I'll let them do the job first."