OpenSSH_2.9p2 and Hostbased Authentication

When using OpenSSH (OpenSSH_2.9p2, SSH protocols 1.5/2.0) I ran into some problems setting up HostbasedAuthentication (the protocol 2 version of RhostsRSAAuthentication) for use with secvpn. ssh was attempting to use password based authentication before it would try hostbased authentication, thus defeating the purpose. In order to correct this, I edited they systemwide ssh_config and added the following:

Host *
PreferredAuthentications publickey,hostbased,keyboard-interactive,password

I hope this helps some of you.