Hunt, Grant and Oates: Terry Hansen coached the star Maroons trio at St Brendan’s College
‘Ben has always had that happy knack of being able to step up to the next level’: The legendary schoolboys coach who mentored Ben Hunt in his formative years talks about the Central Queensland trio who helped secure Origin glory for Queensland.
Rockhampton
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Terry Hansen was far from surprised about Ben Hunt’s match-winning performance in the State of Origin on Wednesday.
The legendary schoolboys coach mentored Hunt in his formative years at the rugby league nursery, St Brendan’s College, for five years.
Hansen said it was amazing to watch the 32-year-old hooker run more than 70m to score the match-winning try for Queensland, incredibly snatching the ball from a Nathan Cleary kick and go on to score the decider in the 78th minute of the Game 3 at Suncorp Stadium.
Hansen said that was just reflective of the champion player Hunt was.
He has been a standout for the St George Dragons in the NRl this season, and is currently leading the Dally M Medal count for Best and Fairest.
“I’ve seen him play some pretty good games,” Hansen said.
“Cast your mind back to that last one last year when he was Player of the Match by a long way.
“Ben has always had that happy knack of being able to step up to the next level.
“He could always do it.
“He could play a club game and be good and then he could go to a state game and be better and then he goes to an Australian side and be better again.”
Hansen said that Hunt was able to deliver some “crucial things” in the Origin match, including the 40/20 which he said was a turning point in the series decider.
“If Ben doesn’t kick that, it might not be the same result,” he said.
Hansen had the privilege to coach the Origin trio of Hunt, Harry Grant and Corey Oates at St Brendan’s College.
He said they were all destined for big things - and they showed that on Wednesday.
He said Grant was outstanding and Oates, while not seeing a lot of ball, did everything asked of him by the Maroons.
Hansen said he was “always proud” of having an association with players who had gone on to forge careers in the NRL and on the State of Origin stage.
“When you see them perform like that it makes you feel pretty good,” he said.
Hansen believes the Maroons have the personnel to forge a new Origin dominance.
“There’s a lot of good kids coming through, and I don’t see any reason why they can’t build from here.”
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