Ben in hunt for Cronk's Origin role

Super Freak

Super Freak

International Captain
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Jan 25, 2014
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Ben Hunt wants to take his NRL game to another level in a bid to secure Queensland’s No.7 jersey next season if Cooper Cronk retires at year’s end.

Hunt admits he is now hungrier than ever to wrap up the starting spot in 2018, after making his State of Origin debut off the bench in Wednesday’s decider.

His bench selection in the Maroons’ victorious side would appear to put him at the top of the list of contenders for next season, ahead of Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans and the Gold Coast’s Ash Taylor.

Hunt said he would use the desire to return to State of Origin as a motivation for his own improvement over the next year.

“I’ve been thinking about it a little bit to myself for a while now,” he said.

“It’s pretty common knowledge that everyone knows the team is getting a bit older and there are a few players there that need to move on.

“Having that shot on Wednesday and just getting my foot in the door and having a taste of it has made me a bit hungrier.

“I need to probably go to another level on what I’m playing now, but I think I can do it.”

Hunt’s best chance to impress will come when he takes on further responsibility at St George Illawarra next season.

With a damaging forward pack in front of him, the Dragons have pinned their attacking hopes on the 27-year-old.

He will also be under pressure to match his big-ticket price tag of more than $1 million per season.

But he’s confident his experience in the Queensland camp – as 18th man for Game II and off the bench for Game III – has left him in the best position to launch his charge for Cronk’s jersey.

“I was just trying to take in as much as I could from Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk,” he said.

“They’re so relaxed and are two of the best in the world at what they do – they’re just so composed and relaxed they are, no matter this situation.

“Whatever happens, if they get behind they still have the same gameplan. They stick to what they are going to do.”

For now, Hunt is focused on piloting the Broncos to the top four and Bennett is keeping him honest after spotlighting his inconsistency in Newcastle against the last-placed Knights.

While Hunt set up Brisbane’s opening try for Jordan Kahu with a crosskick, he was guilty of two bad defensive reads that allowed the Knights to claim a 12-6 halftime lead.

“He was a bit indifferent,” the Broncos coach said of Hunt. “A couple of times in the first half he could have been in a better position for kicks, but it’s nothing major.”
 
Doubt he has another level in him, but hey if he can purple patch before he leaves, I'm not complaining.
 
Although i know people will have a go at him for those comments, i'm not sure what they were expecting ...

they would have been in response to a question from a journalist, (not a PC that he called himself).

did they expect him to say, "I'm shit, i should never be selected for origin ever again" lol
 
Well that will do it for me. Proof hunt is hitting the crack pipe. How he is playing first grade is a mystery but taking cronks spot. .well done ben you have officially cooked your brain. There is 10 inline before you.
 
Well that will do it for me. Proof hunt is hitting the crack pipe. How he is playing first grade is a mystery but taking cronks spot. .well done ben you have officially cooked your brain. There is 10 inline before you.
What the **** did you expect him today when asked the question by a journalist
 
Nope. He shouldn't have been there last week, and I would be surprised if he is ever handed another Origin jersey. The kid knows what a good halfback can do, but simply can't match it.

I can't wait until he's no longer a Bronco. He stinks.
 
That he's lucky to be anywhere near the rep teams and that he's aware that he's got a lot of work at club level before he even entertains those thoughts.

now go and show me a single player that would say anything like it. they all say shit like Hunt did, whether they are good enouth for the spot or not.
 
And that entitlement is the root of all problems with these 'talents'.

there is nothing wrong with knowing what you want and working hard for it.

doesn't mean he will get selection.
 
What has Ben Hunt done wrong here? As @Foordy mentioned, he answered the question, no one would say they don't want that role.

Even Mbye would say he is ready and waiting if asked the same question, goodness me even Glasby would say he deserved to be picked and retained next year.

Hunt does a lot wrong on the field but off the field, in this particular instance, he does not deserve unfair criticism.
 
Nah, I'm not saying he's done anything wrong. Just wish he'd do something right, rather than talk, talk, talk.

I suppose he could have responded to the reporter with a "no comment" ... but then people would have been complaining about that...

FTR he had 2 try assists on Saturday (the most from our team and more than Milford and Marshall got combined)
 
No I wouldn't.........please don't assume I would.
 
He could try the humble approach and be flattered but more interested in not being shit.

He could have pulled a thousand RL player clichés out of the book.....

1. Mate I'm just focusing on finishing the season strong.......
2. Mate I'm just taking one game at a time......
3. I'm not really thinking about rep footy, just getting my own game right

etc etc......
 
He could have pulled a thousand RL player clichés out of the book.....

1. Mate I'm just focusing on finishing the season strong.......
2. Mate I'm just taking one game at a time......
3. I'm not really thinking about rep footy, just getting my own game right

etc etc......
He just pulled a different cliche out with saying he was using origin to motivate him
 
He could have pulled a thousand RL player clichés out of the book.....

1. Mate I'm just focusing on finishing the season strong.......
2. Mate I'm just taking one game at a time......
3. I'm not really thinking about rep footy, just getting my own game right

etc etc......

show me a single rugby league player who would pull out those cliches after making their origin debut and being asked a question about filling a potential vacancy the following year.

should be easy for you to find, since no player would answer the way Hunt did ... right?
 

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