Hunt joins halves in Maroons’ revolution

BEN Hunt’s career resurrection is complete with the former Broncos player snaring Queensland’s No.7 jersey in a Maroon revolution, alongside childhood friend Andrew McCullough.

Hunt will today be named as the new Queensland halfback and form a playmaking combination that dates back 17 years with Broncos hooker McCullough, retired skipper Cameron Smith’s replacement.

Hunt beat incumbent Kangaroos five-eighth Michael Morgan and Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans in the race to replace Maroons talisman Cooper Cronk.

Melbourne dynamo Cameron Munster will retain the No.6 jersey for the series opener at the MCG on Wednesday week following his incredible debut in last year’s decider.

Hunt suffered a corked thigh in Saturday night’s loss to Penrith but has assured Queensland coach Kevin Walters he is fit to play – paving the way for his ascension to the Maroon No.7 jumper.

His selection is further salt to the wound for the Broncos, who refused to enter a bidding war with the Dragons after opting to spend $1 million on Anthony Milford, Hunt’s former halves partner.

Maroons selector Darren Lockyer said the Dragons’ $6 million man will relish the biggest test of his NRL career.

“The bigger the game, the more Ben Hunt enjoys it,” Lockyer said. “The bigger stages don’t worry him.

“The big test for Queensland will be our decision-making without Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston. It’s important Queensland’s halfback is able to handle the pressure and think clearly.”

Hunt would be equally pleased for McCullough, who finally gets his crack at Origin following 225 NRL games for the Broncos, after Smith’s shock representative retirement.