Ben Hunt wins race to be named Queensland State of Origin halfback

BEN Hunt will be named as the new Queensland halfback and form a State of Origin playmaking combination that dates back 17 years.

Ben Hunt is set to be unveiled as Queensland’s halfback for Origin I.

BEN Hunt’s career resurrection is complete with the Broncos product snaring Queensland’s No. 7 jersey in a Maroon revolution alongside childhood friend Andrew McCullough.

Hunt will on Monday be named as the new Queensland halfback and form a playmaking combination that dates back 17 years with Broncos hooker McCullough, retired skipper Cameron Smith’s replacement.

Hunt beat incumbent Kangaroos five-eighth Michael Morgan and Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans in the race to replace Maroons talisman Cooper Cronk.

Melbourne dynamo Cameron Munster will retain the No. 6 jersey for the series opener at the MCG on Wednesday week following his incredible debut in last year’s decider.

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Hunt suffered a corked thigh in Saturday night’s loss to Penrith but has assured Queensland coach Kevin Walters he is fit to play — paving the way for his ascension to the Maroon No. 7 jumper made famous by Allan Langer.

His selection is further salt to the wound for the Broncos, who refused to enter a bidding war with the Dragons after opting to spend $1 million on Anthony Milford, Hunt’s former halves partner.

Maroons selector Darren Lockyer, who was Brisbane’s skipper when Hunt made his Broncos debut in 2009, said the Dragons’ $6 million man will relish the biggest test of his NRL career.

“The bigger the game, the more Ben Hunt enjoys it,” Lockyer said.

Ben Hunt is set to be unveiled as Queensland’s halfback for Origin I.

“He is quite confident and the bigger stages don’t worry him.

“Ben is always a threat. He is a natural footballer who likes to run with the ball. He is always in the game.

“The big test for Queensland will be our decision-making without Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston.

“It’s important Queensland’s halfback is able to handle the pressure and think clearly.”

Hunt is adamant he will not be an injury concern for the Maroons in the build-up to the MCG opener.

“If I am picked I will be pretty right,” he said.

“There is 10 or so days (until the game) and it’s only a cork so hopefully I get it right.”

Ben Hunt was injured in the Dragons’ loss to Penrith but insists he’ll be fit for Origin I. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Hunt would be equally pleased for McCullough, who finally gets his crack at the Origin arena following 225 NRL games for the Broncos.

The 28-year-old could have been resigned to never playing for Queensland until the door opened a fortnight ago following Smith’s shock representative retirement after a record 42 Origins.

McCullough, the most popular player among the Broncos squad, said he dreamt of playing for Queensland growing up as a kid in Dalby, 200km west of Brisbane.

“It’s hard to put words on it,” he said.

Former Broncos teammates Ben Hunt and Andrew McCullough will reunite for the Maroons.

“Being a kid from Dalby … you dream one day (of playing for Queensland).

“I’ve tried to be me and the player I could be.

“I didn’t know what was going to happen a couple of weeks ago (with Smith’s retirement).”

McCullough and Hunt were the last of legendary Broncos scout Cyril Connell’s signings and came through Brisbane’s junior squads together.

Hunt’s big-money move to St George Illawarra this season split up their partnership, but they will reunite as the new-look Maroons attempt to win a fourth straight series.

“We are good mates,” McCullough said.

“We’ve known each other 16-17 years now.

“I guess we could work well together. We are good mates and know each other’s games.”