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- Mar 4, 2008
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SELF-imposed booze ban is the secret weapon behind Ben Hunt’s stunning running game, which is officially better than all his playmaking rivals.
Hunt was again superb in the Broncos’ attacking masterclass against Newcastle on Friday night.
He has seven line breaks this year, more than any halfback or five-eighth in the NRL.
He is the first Bronco half in more than a decade to average a linebreak per game.
For years Hunt was forced to endure frustrating 30 minute stints off the bench.
So when coach Anthony Griffin told him late last year the No. 7 jersey was finally his, he went cold turkey on alcohol in a bid to gain every competitive edge.
The pre-season is often the time when players drink more, due to the holiday festivities and lighter schedule but Hunt did not touch a drop even during the Christmas break.
The tactic shed weight from his stocky frame and he is now a lighter, faster, halfback.
Hunt never had a drinking problem but realised he needed every advantage possible if he was going to seize the opportunity he had been waiting five years for after debuting in 2009.
“All pre-season, and before Christmas, I was off the drink,” he said.
“It was something I wanted to do.
“I wasn’t a crazy drinker or anything but I wanted to pin myself down for a while and just get the job done.
“I needed to cut back those calories.
“I needed to get on a good diet.”
Hunt’s form, which includes five tries and four try-assists this season, is proving the Broncos decision to release Peter Wallace last year was the correct one.
While Wallace is a tough competitor and excellent leader, the Broncos have not seen a dynamic running game from their halfback in 11 years.
As starting halfback Peter Wallace never made more than seven linebreaks in a season.
In fact, Hunt is posting numbers not seen from a Broncos’ No. 7 since Wayne Bennett used regular centre Shaun Berrigan in the role in 2003.
That year, Berrigan made 20 linebreaks from halfback.
Hunt said a directive from Broncos coach Anthony Griffin to attack the line gave him confidence to back himself
“Running has always been a strong point of my game and Hook always encourages me to take the line on,” he said.
“I have good guys around me who hold the defence off and that makes it a lot easier.
“I lost a bit of weight in the off-season and I definitely got a lot fitter.
“Alex Corvo and Steve Hooper (Broncos conditioners) gave me a good pre-season. I’m feeling really good.
“When I was playing heavier, I was always feeling a bit tired.
“I wasn’t getting the minutes either.
“I feel a lot better playing at the weight I am now.”
Hunt duels with potential New South Wales halfback Adam Reynolds this Friday when South Sydney travel north to take on the Broncos.
It looms as a fascinating contest as the Rabbitohs are yet to find their best while the Broncos are searching for a true test of their form.
Their win over the Knights was impressive but the Knights had only won two games previously and those were against the low-ranked Cronulla Sharks and Canberra Raiders.
SELF-imposed booze ban is the secret weapon behind Ben Hunt’s stunning running game, which is officially better than all his playmaking rivals.
Hunt was again superb in the Broncos’ attacking masterclass against Newcastle on Friday night.
He has seven line breaks this year, more than any halfback or five-eighth in the NRL.
He is the first Bronco half in more than a decade to average a linebreak per game.
For years Hunt was forced to endure frustrating 30 minute stints off the bench.
So when coach Anthony Griffin told him late last year the No. 7 jersey was finally his, he went cold turkey on alcohol in a bid to gain every competitive edge.
The pre-season is often the time when players drink more, due to the holiday festivities and lighter schedule but Hunt did not touch a drop even during the Christmas break.
The tactic shed weight from his stocky frame and he is now a lighter, faster, halfback.
Hunt never had a drinking problem but realised he needed every advantage possible if he was going to seize the opportunity he had been waiting five years for after debuting in 2009.
“All pre-season, and before Christmas, I was off the drink,” he said.
“It was something I wanted to do.
“I wasn’t a crazy drinker or anything but I wanted to pin myself down for a while and just get the job done.
“I needed to cut back those calories.
“I needed to get on a good diet.”
Hunt’s form, which includes five tries and four try-assists this season, is proving the Broncos decision to release Peter Wallace last year was the correct one.
While Wallace is a tough competitor and excellent leader, the Broncos have not seen a dynamic running game from their halfback in 11 years.
As starting halfback Peter Wallace never made more than seven linebreaks in a season.
In fact, Hunt is posting numbers not seen from a Broncos’ No. 7 since Wayne Bennett used regular centre Shaun Berrigan in the role in 2003.
That year, Berrigan made 20 linebreaks from halfback.
Hunt said a directive from Broncos coach Anthony Griffin to attack the line gave him confidence to back himself
“Running has always been a strong point of my game and Hook always encourages me to take the line on,” he said.
“I have good guys around me who hold the defence off and that makes it a lot easier.
“I lost a bit of weight in the off-season and I definitely got a lot fitter.
“Alex Corvo and Steve Hooper (Broncos conditioners) gave me a good pre-season. I’m feeling really good.
“When I was playing heavier, I was always feeling a bit tired.
“I wasn’t getting the minutes either.
“I feel a lot better playing at the weight I am now.”
Hunt duels with potential New South Wales halfback Adam Reynolds this Friday when South Sydney travel north to take on the Broncos.
It looms as a fascinating contest as the Rabbitohs are yet to find their best while the Broncos are searching for a true test of their form.
Their win over the Knights was impressive but the Knights had only won two games previously and those were against the low-ranked Cronulla Sharks and Canberra Raiders.
