NRL 2023: Royce Hunt calls Corey Horsburgh a ‘weak gutted dog’ after fiery Sharks vs Raiders clash

Raiders enforcer Corey Horsburgh has ignited the growing feud with former teammate Royce Hunt, as the two traded barbs over a ‘weak gutted dog’ sledge.

Royce Hunt has labelled Raiders star Corey Horsburgh a ‘weak gutted dog’ after their fiery Round 3 clash. Picture: Getty Images.

Cronulla prop Royce Hunt has set up a mouth-watering clash against Canberra later in the year after unloading on former teammate Corey Horsburgh, labelling the Raiders forward a “weak-gutted dog” and threatening to bash him in round 27.

Hunt was sin-binned for striking Horsburgh in the 52nd minute of their game on Sunday, lashing out after claiming he was held in a scrum by the Raiders redhead.

Moments before Hunt was sent from the field, Horsburgh scored a try and celebrated by screaming in the face of the Sharks forward.

Hunt was still seething on Wednesday when he fronted the media at Cronulla, warning Horsburgh that retribution was only months away.

Royce Hunt has labelled Raiders star Corey Horsburgh a ‘weak gutted dog’ after their fiery Round 3 clash. Picture: Getty Images.

“As Ricky Stuart would say, he’s a weak-gutted dog,” Hunt said in reference to Stuart’s extraordinary post-game spray on Penrith’s Jaeman Salmon last year.

“We’ll get him next game. I got sent for 10 and put the boys under pressure. I was upset at myself for getting sent for 10 and letting him get under my skin.”

Stuart was fined $25,000 and suspended for one game after labelling Salmon a weak-gutted dog last year.

News Corp understands that the NRL will also review Hunt’s comments and the context surrounding them.

Hunt lashed out at Horsburgh in their Round 3 clash, being sin-binned after striking him. Picture: Fox League.

Horsburgh responded to Hunt’s comments on social media, posting a picture of him holding a baby with Hunt’s head superimposed on the image.

He added: “Really happy for my little boy watching daddy score two tries,” alongside emojis of a love heart and a cup of milk.

Hunt and Horsburgh have known each other for years - the pair were once teammates, playing for Mounties together in 2018 and 2019 when both were under contract with the Raiders.

At one point, they were front row partners in the Mounties side.

Corey Horsburgh took to instagram to respond to the sledge, rubbing salt into Hunt's wounds. Picture: Instagram.

News Corp is unaware of any bad blood between the pair as a result of their interaction from that time.

However, the bad blood is certainly flowing now given Hunt’s comments on Wednesday.

The Sharks forward escaped punishment from the NRL match review committee but he was in no mood for forgiveness as he taunted Horsburgh, accusing the Raiders forward of hiding behind teammate Jack Wighton as things got feisty.

“We’ll see if he fronts up,” Hunt said of their next encounter.

“I have never seen a front-rower hide behind a halfback. You can’t just hold me in and push me over and not expect anything.

“I was a bit upset about that. It is what it is, it’s rugby league. We get on with it and bash him next game.”

Horsburgh had the last laugh after scoring the first double of his NRL career as the Raiders enjoyed their first win of the season with a 24-20 victory.

Originally published as NRL 2023: Royce Hunt calls Corey Horsburgh a ‘weak gutted dog’ after fiery Sharks vs Raiders clash