Hunt’s Dragons drama won’t distract Maroons: NSW

Jasper Bruce | June 18, 2023

NSW do not believe Ben Hunt’s unsuccessful request for a release from his St George Illawarra contract will have a detrimental effect on the Queensland hooker and his Maroons teammates ahead of State of Origin II.

Despite inking a two-year contract extension in October, Hunt is seeking an early exit from the struggling Dragons, who sacked his close ally Anthony Griffin as coach last month.

News of the request came in the same week Saints unveiled Shane Flanagan as their coach for 2024. Hunt’s plea was formally denied by the club on Sunday – only three days before Origin II at Suncorp Stadium.

A halfback at club level, Hunt’s dummy-half combination with Harry Grant has been one of Billy Slater’s signature tactics since taking over as Queensland coach last year.

The one-two punch looms as crucial to the Maroons’ hopes of claiming the series with a game in hand.

When the shield was there for the taking in Origin III last year, Hunt stepped up for the best game of his career in Maroon, scoring the runaway try that confirmed the match and series for Queensland.

The Blues are expecting he will have little trouble neutralising the outside noise as he returns to Suncorp Stadium as a Maroon for the first time since that performance.

“Ben Hunt’s a very experienced player,” Blues assistant coach Greg Alexander said.

“He’s been through contract situations before. It’s water off a duck’s back.”

Tom Trbojevic will be facing off against Hunt for the ninth time at Origin level and the NSW centre doubts the Dragons skipper will become distracted.

“I don’t think so. His focus will purely be on Queensland,” Trbojevic said.