State of Origin 2018: Maroons coach Kevin Walters backs Ben Hunt as Queensland halfback

MAROONS coach Kevin Walters has slammed suggestions Ben Hunt is not a big-game player, declaring the Dragons halfback is ready to be crowned Queensland’s new No. 7.

Hunt’s form has spiked since leaving Brisbane. (Matt King/Getty Images)

MAROONS coach Kevin Walters has slammed suggestions Ben Hunt is not a big-game player, declaring the Dragons halfback is ready to be crowned Queensland’s new No. 7.

Hunt is the favourite to replace Cooper Cronk at Queensland’s scrumbase in the State of Origin series opener at the MCG on June 6.

The 28-year-old has been in sensational touch for St George Illawarra this season after leaving Brisbane on a $6 million deal.

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Hunt’s form has spiked since leaving Brisbane. (Matt King/Getty Images)

Hunt made his Origin debut for Queensland in last year’s decider, making a short cameo off the bench as a utility, a role he also played for Australia in the World Cup.

While Hunt has been excellent in the ladder-leading Dragons’ hot start to the season, he has at times struggled to close out tight contests in his 10-season career.

Hunt is yet to kick a field goal in 195 NRL games and Brisbane’s negative tactics in the 2015 grand final proved costly as North Queensland orchestrated a miracle comeback win.

Cronk was the ultimate big-moment player in his 22-game Origin career, famously kicking a 41m field goal to win the 2012 decider.

Doubts remain over Hunt’s capacity for the big plays. (Phil Hillyard)

Walters, in his third year as Maroons coach, hit out at claims Hunt could not deliver in clutch moments.

“I’m not of the same opinion as a lot of people,” he told The Courier-Mail.

“I’ve seen him do some great things when the scores are level. I’ve seen him score tries rather than kick field goals.

“There is more ways to win games than kicking field goals.

“I like his positive attitude to things. That has really benefited him at the Dragons where he is playing with some new players and finding his own way with a new style of football.

“I think he has been silencing (the critics).”

Form alone means Hunt deserves his shot. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Cronk was ushered into the Origin arena as a bench utility over a number of years before replacing Darren Lockyer in 2012.

Hunt has only has eight minutes of Origin experience next to his name, but Walters said he would not hesitate to give him the No. 7 jersey.

“I believe (he is ready), he certainly could step up,” he said.

“You can only judge what people are doing in clubland and he’s been really good for the opening eight rounds now. If he continues to do that it’s not going to hurt his chances at all.

“Everyone is aware of Ben’s ability, same with Michael (Morgan) and DCE (Daly Cherry-Evans).

“But what Ben’s been doing more than anything this year is being really consistent with what he’s putting out there.

“That is a great show of faith in his ability and showing everyone he wants to really make a good go of it this year with the Dragons.

“He was under a fair bit of pressure there with the million-dollar price tag but at the moment he is certainly living up to it.”

Hunt will never escape his 2015 NRL Grand Final error. )Gregg Porteous)

The Broncos put all their eggs in the Anthony Milford basket last year, opting to let the Dragons poach Hunt and re-sign their five-eighth on a $1 million-a-season deal.

The Dragons took somewhat of a gamble in signing Hunt on such a lucrative deal, but he has so far delivered.

Walters, who worked intimately with Hunt as Broncos assistant in 2015, said he was not surprised by the Dragons halfback’s form.

“I don’t think he has surprised me,” Walters said.

“I’ve certainly got a healthy respect for his skills and going to the Dragons has really improved all those areas for him.

“He is in a really good place with his football. With the way he is playing, he has got a really good mentality towards it all.

“Maybe moving out of Brisbane has helped him in some way with the pressures of playing for the Broncos.

“There is always that expectation on the number seven jumper, no matter who is wearing it.”

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