Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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BRONCOS legend Allan Langer says Ben Hunt is lacking confidence but has backed the No. 7 to find the explosive running form that has made him one of the NRL’s most dangerous halfbacks.
Hunt will confront the Cowboys for the first time since last year’s grand final in the Good Friday derby at Suncorp Stadium.
The Broncos are coming off a one-point loss to Penrith and Hunt has admitted he’s been below his best in the opening rounds of the competition. While playmaking partner Anthony Milford has started the year on fire, Hunt isn’t challenging opposition defences like he did in 2015.
The classy halfback averaged 4.4 runs a game last year, making 12 linebreaks in the process, but has only notched a total of eight runs in Brisbane’s three games with five of those coming against the Panthers.
Langer, a four-time Broncos premiership winner, has been watching Hunt closely on the field and said the halfback was just warming up.
“We think he’s working himself into the season,” Langer said.
“He did the same thing last year. He didn’t start off that quick. It comes with his timing and what he wants to do in the game.
“It can be (easier to pass the ball) but sometimes you grow in confidence and once you get your running game going you get more confident when things come off. It makes you want to run more the next week. I don’t think it’s a problem.”
Hunt saw limited game time in the pre-season due to a suspension he picked up in the grand final which ruled him out of the World Club Series.
Hunt has still been creating tries (three) and linebreak assists (four) but there is no doubt the Broncos are at their best when he is challenging defenders.
“He’s hard to stop. He’s strong and built close to the ground,” Langer said.
“When he runs he’s a lot quicker than people think he is. He’s definitely not (at his most confident but) him and Milford are going to grow during the year again.
“That’s good for us because we know Benny Hunt has a lot of improvement in him. If those two are at their best then we’ll be where we were last year. We’re only going to see bigger and better things from them.”
Hunt has a golden opportunity to hit top form when he faces off against North Queensland’s four-time Dally M Medal winner Johnathan Thurston.
Broncos winger Jordan Kahu said Hunt’s form was a barometer for Brisbane’s success.
“When we play our best games he’s our best player on the field,” Kahu said.
“He’s massive for us. When he doesn’t play you see how much we miss him. They’re both (Hunt and Milford) finding their feet. It’s only early in the year.
“We saw what they can do at the end of last year. They didn’t have that at the start of the year. They built into it. The more games they play the more confidence they’ll get.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...m/news-story/596a067e10aba020fe63e77e758d9545
Hunt will confront the Cowboys for the first time since last year’s grand final in the Good Friday derby at Suncorp Stadium.
The Broncos are coming off a one-point loss to Penrith and Hunt has admitted he’s been below his best in the opening rounds of the competition. While playmaking partner Anthony Milford has started the year on fire, Hunt isn’t challenging opposition defences like he did in 2015.
The classy halfback averaged 4.4 runs a game last year, making 12 linebreaks in the process, but has only notched a total of eight runs in Brisbane’s three games with five of those coming against the Panthers.
Langer, a four-time Broncos premiership winner, has been watching Hunt closely on the field and said the halfback was just warming up.
“We think he’s working himself into the season,” Langer said.
“He did the same thing last year. He didn’t start off that quick. It comes with his timing and what he wants to do in the game.
“It can be (easier to pass the ball) but sometimes you grow in confidence and once you get your running game going you get more confident when things come off. It makes you want to run more the next week. I don’t think it’s a problem.”
Hunt saw limited game time in the pre-season due to a suspension he picked up in the grand final which ruled him out of the World Club Series.
Hunt has still been creating tries (three) and linebreak assists (four) but there is no doubt the Broncos are at their best when he is challenging defenders.
“He’s hard to stop. He’s strong and built close to the ground,” Langer said.
“When he runs he’s a lot quicker than people think he is. He’s definitely not (at his most confident but) him and Milford are going to grow during the year again.
“That’s good for us because we know Benny Hunt has a lot of improvement in him. If those two are at their best then we’ll be where we were last year. We’re only going to see bigger and better things from them.”
Hunt has a golden opportunity to hit top form when he faces off against North Queensland’s four-time Dally M Medal winner Johnathan Thurston.
Broncos winger Jordan Kahu said Hunt’s form was a barometer for Brisbane’s success.
“When we play our best games he’s our best player on the field,” Kahu said.
“He’s massive for us. When he doesn’t play you see how much we miss him. They’re both (Hunt and Milford) finding their feet. It’s only early in the year.
“We saw what they can do at the end of last year. They didn’t have that at the start of the year. They built into it. The more games they play the more confidence they’ll get.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...m/news-story/596a067e10aba020fe63e77e758d9545
