Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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IT’S early days — he has yet to play a full game at hooker — but, following his spectacular 58-minute cameo against the Titans, Ben Hunt is on track to earn a place in one of rugby league’s most exclusive clubs — Wayne Bennett’s Switcheroo Hall of Fame.
The master coach has changed the course of matches, seasons and careers many times with his positional changes over the years.
Some have been more successful than others — Wendell Sailor’s foray into the forwards was short-lived, and Bennett’s insistence on playing Kevvie Walters at five-eighth and moving Wally Lewis to lock was a major factor behind The King’s departure from Red Hill.
Others have proved to be masterstrokes. Such as:
Darren Lockyer (fullback to five-eighth 2004)
With the retirement of Ben Ikin, Bennett handed Lockyer — then regarded as the world’s best fullback — the number six jumper. Despite early criticism and calls for him to be moved back to his old position, Bennett persevered and in 2006 Lockyer was named the world’s best five-eighth after captaining Brisbane, Queensland and Australia to grand final and series wins.
Shaun Berrigan (centre to hooker 2006)
In a situation similar to Bennett’s current conundrum, the Broncos’ first-choice hookers Barry Berrigan and Michael Ennis were both ruled out for the season. Bennett switched Berrigan’s younger brother Shaun from centre to hooker in a late season move that added a new dimension to Brisbane’s attack. Berrigan scored the winning try and was named Man of the Match in the 15-8 grand final win over Melbourne.
Justin Hodges (centre to fullback 2006) After an injury-plagued season, Hodges was Bennett’s shock choice to replace the injured Karmichael Hunt. Along with the switch of Berrigan to hooker, Hodges’ move helped revitalise the Broncos’ shaky season and saw them go all the way to the grand final in which he scored Brisbane’s first try.
David Stagg (backrow to centre 2006)
With one of his centres playing hooker and another at fullback, where else would Bennett go looking for a grand final replacement than the forward pack? Stagg was a hardworking, no-nonsense second-rower or lock to whom Bennett handed the toughest assignment in the game: contain Greg Inglis. It was a job he carried out with tradesman-like efficiency. He would never step his way through the backline, but he sure could hit — as Billy Slater found out in the first play of the game.
Paul Green (halfback to hooker 2001)
Game III of Origin 2001 will always be remembered for the triumphant return of Allan Langer from England, but Alfie’s inclusion in the side required another Bennett switcheroo. Green, who had worn the number seven in the first two games, was let in on the secret of Langer’s selection and told he would be playing hooker. His reaction? “Wayne told me I would have to shift position, then he said Alfie was coming back. Geez I was happy. I didn’t give my situation a second thought”. Queensland won the decider 40-14.
Peter Jackson (centre to five-eighth 1988)
With the great Wally Lewis ruled out of the first game of the 1988 Origin series Queensland was a state of panic. No-one, the fans felt, could fill The King’s giant boots. Bennett convinced the selectors to go with Jackson. “I knew he would rally to the occasion and emotion of the challenge,” he said later. He certainly did, playing his role to perfection and guiding the Maroons to a 28-16 win.
If Hunt’s change of position proves even half as successful as any of Bennett’s best, Broncos fans will have plenty to cheer about before the season is out.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...b/news-story/a1b9110a8a682be46cc0c6ef8d507fbb
The master coach has changed the course of matches, seasons and careers many times with his positional changes over the years.
Some have been more successful than others — Wendell Sailor’s foray into the forwards was short-lived, and Bennett’s insistence on playing Kevvie Walters at five-eighth and moving Wally Lewis to lock was a major factor behind The King’s departure from Red Hill.
Others have proved to be masterstrokes. Such as:
Darren Lockyer (fullback to five-eighth 2004)
With the retirement of Ben Ikin, Bennett handed Lockyer — then regarded as the world’s best fullback — the number six jumper. Despite early criticism and calls for him to be moved back to his old position, Bennett persevered and in 2006 Lockyer was named the world’s best five-eighth after captaining Brisbane, Queensland and Australia to grand final and series wins.
Shaun Berrigan (centre to hooker 2006)
In a situation similar to Bennett’s current conundrum, the Broncos’ first-choice hookers Barry Berrigan and Michael Ennis were both ruled out for the season. Bennett switched Berrigan’s younger brother Shaun from centre to hooker in a late season move that added a new dimension to Brisbane’s attack. Berrigan scored the winning try and was named Man of the Match in the 15-8 grand final win over Melbourne.
Justin Hodges (centre to fullback 2006) After an injury-plagued season, Hodges was Bennett’s shock choice to replace the injured Karmichael Hunt. Along with the switch of Berrigan to hooker, Hodges’ move helped revitalise the Broncos’ shaky season and saw them go all the way to the grand final in which he scored Brisbane’s first try.
David Stagg (backrow to centre 2006)
With one of his centres playing hooker and another at fullback, where else would Bennett go looking for a grand final replacement than the forward pack? Stagg was a hardworking, no-nonsense second-rower or lock to whom Bennett handed the toughest assignment in the game: contain Greg Inglis. It was a job he carried out with tradesman-like efficiency. He would never step his way through the backline, but he sure could hit — as Billy Slater found out in the first play of the game.
Paul Green (halfback to hooker 2001)
Game III of Origin 2001 will always be remembered for the triumphant return of Allan Langer from England, but Alfie’s inclusion in the side required another Bennett switcheroo. Green, who had worn the number seven in the first two games, was let in on the secret of Langer’s selection and told he would be playing hooker. His reaction? “Wayne told me I would have to shift position, then he said Alfie was coming back. Geez I was happy. I didn’t give my situation a second thought”. Queensland won the decider 40-14.
Peter Jackson (centre to five-eighth 1988)
With the great Wally Lewis ruled out of the first game of the 1988 Origin series Queensland was a state of panic. No-one, the fans felt, could fill The King’s giant boots. Bennett convinced the selectors to go with Jackson. “I knew he would rally to the occasion and emotion of the challenge,” he said later. He certainly did, playing his role to perfection and guiding the Maroons to a 28-16 win.
If Hunt’s change of position proves even half as successful as any of Bennett’s best, Broncos fans will have plenty to cheer about before the season is out.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...b/news-story/a1b9110a8a682be46cc0c6ef8d507fbb
