State of Origin 2018: Ben Hunt named Queensland halfback and told — make the team your own

IF Ben Hunt was enjoying his form rise with St George Illawarra, there’s no time to rest on his laurels after Queensland hierarchy told the halfback to take control of the Maroons.

Hunt has the chance to make his mark on Origin. (Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

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QUEENSLAND hierarchy have turned up the heat on Ben Hunt, telling him to take control of the Maroons as the former Broncos halfback prepares for the biggest test of his career in Origin I.

On Monday Hunt was celebrating the high point of his NRL career after being officially crowned Queensland’s halfback successor to Cooper Cronk for the series opener against NSW next week at the MCG.

Hunt has the chance to make his mark on Origin. (Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

But Maroons coach Kevin Walters has already spelled out the responsibilities facing Hunt, ordering him to own the Queensland team in the same fashion as former halfbacks Cronk and Allan Langer.

In just his second Origin game and first starting appearance, Hunt will seek revenge against NSW halfback rookie Nathan Cleary, who outpointed him in Penrith’s 28-2 rout of the Dragons last Saturday night.

Queensland need Hunt to replicate his commanding Dragons form. (Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Cronk won 16 of 22 Origin games as Queensland’s clinical shot-caller and Walters has privately made it clear to Hunt that he must stamp his playmaking authority on the Maroons.

“It will be Ben Hunt’s team — Kevvie has basically told him that,” said Queensland chairman of selectors Gene Miles.

“Ben Hunt will have to do some organising with ‘GI’ (Greg Inglis) on the left-hand side of the field.

“He’s been doing a very good job for St George (Illawarra) and we want Ben to transition that to Origin football.

“His kicking game has vastly improved and he will be required to kick with Cameron Munster (halves partner) as well.”

Hunt‘s kicking game was a weakness. (Phil Hillyard)

Hunt has played just eight minutes of Origin football, making his debut off the bench in the Suncorp decider last year, and the jury remains out on whether he has the game-management skills to succeed Cronk.

The 28-year-old was consistently pilloried at the Broncos for his erratic general-play kicking, but since his $6 million move to the Dragons this season, Hunt has produced the most dominant form of his 199-game career.

Hunt suffered a corked thigh against the Panthers but is confident his right leg will recover in time for Origin I.

Walters was Brisbane’s attack coach when Hunt steered the Broncos to the 2015 grand final, a period which convinced the Maroons coach the nuggety playmaker could take charge at Origin level.

“He will do a great job for Queensland,” Walters said.

“I enjoyed working with Ben at the Broncos. I could see the skill level and the desire in Ben to be a really good halfback and we’ve seen that progression this year.

“I’m very confident Ben will be alright. I’ve had a conversation with him.

“He has a bit of work in front of him to get his injury right, it’s some sort of cork, but he will be fine.”

Should Hunt struggle to fire at the MCG, the Maroons will come under pressure to recall the luckless Daly Cherry-Evans, whom Walters insists remains in the Origin frame.

“We’re very fortunate in that halfback position,” he said. “I’ve had some conversations with Daly in the last month or so. I will call him (to explain his omission), it’s hard for him but we can’t pick everyone.

“I’m very happy with the selection of Ben.”

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