Canberra’s star hooker Josh Hodgson says he needs to step up in the absence of injured five-eight Blake Austin.

Hodgson has been one of the form players in the NRL but says he needs to find another gear despite the good form of replacement half Sam Williams.

“I do need to be more vocal than I would be and get us to the right points on the ground a bit more,” he told AAP.

“But attacking-wise I thought Sammy (Williams) fitted in really well.

“He got us around the field well, he talked well, kicked well and just did his job which is massive thing we need from Sammy when we lose someone like Austo.”