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Bronco halfback Ben Hunt has been added to the Kangaroo squad to play in the Four Nations rugby league tournament in November, and for the Prime Minister’s squad against Papua New Guinea on September 29.
The 24-year-old Rockhampton born Hunt has been recognised at national level before State of Origin.
No surprise in that, as Hunt has superb skills and was instrumental in the Broncos making the play-offs when all appeared lost.
That’s no surprise either, as Hunt has the traits of an Allan Langer and Cooper Crock, and they haven’t come any better than that out of Maroon territory.
Hunt has vision, the ability to make a break, when in the clear he looks for – and finds – support, and is solid in defence. All the attributes of Langer and Cronk.
Langer is second on the list of most Queensland Origin caps with 34, just behind Darren Lockyer’s 36. But Storm, Queensland, and Kangaroo skipper Cameron Smith is closing fast on both Lockyer and Langer with 33.
Cronk is 30, and barring injury still has a good few years in him to add to his 14 Origins and 22 Tests. So Hunt may well have to bide his time to be in the big time, but better to be recognised and in the swim that on the outer looking in. Having said that, Cronk had better keep his high standard on the boil, or Hunt may yet get an early call.
It’s mindful of Adam Gilchrist putting pressure on Ian Healy in the Australian cricket team. In the end, national selectors had no option but to fully recognise the elite talent of Gilchrist, and for the next decade Gilchrist rewrote the wicketkeeper-batsman manual in international cricket.
Keep an eye on Ben Hunt, he’s going places.
The Kangaroo squad so far:
Ben Hunt, Corey Parker, Dale Copley, Josh McGuire, Justin Hodges, Matt Gillett, Sam Thaiday, Brett Morris, Josh Dugan, Trent Merrin, Jarryd Hayne, Will Hopoate, Beau Scott, Kurt Gidley, Willie Mason, Anthony Milford, Jack Wighton, Jarrod Crocker, Josh Papalii, Andrew Fifita, Luke Lewis, Michael Gordon, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Ryan Hoffman, Will Chambers, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah, Aidan Sezer, Dave Taylor, Greg Bird, and Jacob Lillyman.
More will be added to the squad as clubs end their NRL commitment.