Ben Hunt (rugby league)
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Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Ben Hunt | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 90 kg (14 st 2 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Halfback, Hooker | |||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 12 June 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ben Hunt (born 27 March 1990 in Rockhampton, Australia) is an Australian rugby league footballer who plays for the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL. Hunt also plays for the North Devils QLD Cup side when not in the Broncos squad. A versitile player, Hunt has shown his ability at both Halfback and Hooker, often playing from the bench.
Early career
While attending St Brendan's College in Yeppoon, Hunt was placed on a scholarship with the Broncos. He achieved much while at St Brendan's College with the team reaching the Queensland final of the Arrive Alive Cup in 2007. Also during 2007, Hunt was selected for the Australia Schoolboys after a strong showing for the Queensland Secondary Schools Rugby League team during the A.S.S.R.L 2007 National Championships.
Hunt was selected in the Queensland Under-18 side to play in the curtain raiser to Game Two of the 2008 State of Origin series.[1] In 2008, Hunt played for the Brisbane Broncos in the inaugural season of the Toyota Cup, helping them reach the Grand Final only to lose to the Minor Premiers Canberra Raiders 28-24. A clear stand out performer for the Broncos, Hunt scored 166 points in 26 games, including 17 tries and 49 goals.[2]
Hunt made his first grade debut with the Broncos as a nineteen-year-old halfback in a 12-46 thrashing at the hands of his boyhood team the Cronulla Sharks in Round 15, 2009. He went on to play two more games that season in losses to both the Titans and the Raiders.[3]
2010 was seen as a breakthough season for Hunt, playing 19 games and even making a push for a starting position at dummy-half. After some impressive performances that included two tries, many were calling for Hunt to get a run as a starting Hooker. Although Hunt stayed as a bench player, he certainly demonstrated that he could be the Broncos' future Halfback.[4]
After a shaky start to 2011, Hunt regained his form with an impressive performance against Canberra.
Brisbane Broncos
| Season | Matches | Tries | Goals | F/G | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 | - | - | - | |
| 2010 | 20 | 2 | - | - | 8 |
| 2011* | 7 | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 29 | 2 | - | - | 8 |
(* denotes season still competing.)
Personal life
Despite growing up in Queensland, Hunt is a self proclaimed Cronulla Sharks fan. As a youngster he idolised Mat Rogers which was the reason he supported the Sharks, the team he in fact made his debut against. Hunt has also stated Andrew Johns as the player who most influenced his game.[5]
Achievements
Ben Hunt won the inaugural 2008 Toyota Cup Player of the Year.[6]
He was also named in the 2008 Toyota Cup Team of the Year on the Interchange bench.[7]
References
- ^ Queensland Teams Named Today QRL. Retrieved 6 May 2008
- ^ Ben Hunt Statistics Rleague. Retrieved 23 September 2008
- ^ Ben Hunt Statistics Rleague. Retrieved 23 September 2008
- ^ Ben Hunt Statistics Rleague. Retrieved 23 September 2008
- ^ Player Profile: Ben Hunt Brisbane Broncos. Retrieved 11 April 2011
- ^ Broncos rising star Ben Hunt aims for schoolboys win Courier Mail. Retrieved 11 September 2008
- ^ Toyota Cup Team of the Year FoxSports. Retrieved 2 September 2008