Wallabies bolter Reece Hodge is ready to make his Test debut when Australia face England in Brisbane on Saturday night, according to his former Manly Marlins teammate and centre partner Dennis Pili-Gaitau.

Pili-Gaitau played alongside Hodge in recent years as the 21-year old developed into one of Australian rugby’s most exciting prospects.

The pair led Manly to last year’s Intrust Shute Shield grand final, before Hodge linked with the Melbourne Rebels and after just nine Super Rugby matches, he finds himself in the mix to potentially make his Wallabies debut this weekend.

“When I first met Hodgey at Marlins pre season, I didn’t think much of him. I’d been told how good he was just he just looked like a tall winger,” Pili-Gaitau said.

“Then I saw him hang around after training and do extras. He was working hard on his agility and that showed what type of player he is, he’s always working to make himself better.”

Hodge wasn’t named in the initial Wallabies 39-man squad, but replaced injured teammate Mike Harris on the opening day of Wallabies camp and made an immediate impression on Michael Cheika.

With a number of Wallabies in doubt for the opening Test, Hodge could be in line for a shock call-up and Pili-Gaitau is confident that his former teammate is up to the challenge.

“I’ve got no doubt he’ll handle the pressure of Test rugby, but it might not look like it. He does this weird thing where he yawns before a game. I used to tell him that he was going to put us all to sleep, but that’s just how he deals with nerves.

“He’s only got skinny legs but he can hit seriously hard. He’s just a good all round player, strong in attack, strong in defence and a great kicker,” Pili-Gaiatu added.

Hodge has scored eight tries since making his Super Rugby debut for the Rebels earlier this year and can cover almost every position in the backline.

“Personally, I think he’s a No.12 and that’s where he’ll end up eventually. He’s got a smart rugby brain and he’s a good defender. But you can put him anywhere in the backline and he’ll carve, he’s a professional like that and will adapt pretty quickly.”

Whether Hodge makes his Test debut against England this month, or in the years ahead, Pili-Gaitau has no doubt his former teammate has a long international career ahead of him.

“You’ve only got to look at what he’s achieved already to know how good he is going to be. The more experience he gets, the better he’ll be.”

Michael Cheika will name his side to play England on Thursday morning.