The remarkable rise of Ben Hunt is set to continue, with the Brisbane Broncos halfback firming to wear the Queensland No.7 jersey in Wednesday’s second State of Origin against NSW at ANZ Stadium.
Hunt was brought in as cover for first-choice playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans, who has been struggling to overcome a knee injury sustained in the Origin opener. The Manly Sea Eagles star sat out training on Sunday and appears at long odds to take the field in Wednesday’s match, which the Maroons have to win to stay alive in the series.
But Queensland second-rower Sam Thaiday said Cherry-Evans would be given every chance to prove his fitness. “There is somewhat of a risk leaving it late,” he told AAP. “But in saying that we have been preparing like they haven’t been playing. Ben Hunt has been doing everything in the halfback role. We have our bases covered at the moment.”
Thaiday said the final call on Cherry-Evans’ availability would probably be left to the player himself. It’s a dilemma Thaiday is familiar with after ruling himself out of Game One with a calf injury. “That’s a very difficult phone call to make,” he said. “Looking back, it was a wise one for me. You don’t want to be playing not at 100 per cent. You will get found out.”
Blues forward Anthony Watmough, a teammate of Cherry-Evans at the Sea Eagles, won’t be surprised if the former NRL rookie of the year pulls out. “He doesn’t play many games injured with Manly,” Watmough said. “They seem to wrap him up in cotton wool, so it’ll be interesting to see how he goes.”
In better news for the Maroons, centre Greg Inglis and fullback Billy Slater are expected to play after overcoming their injuries.
