The old ‘switch a Roo’

Mal’s Hunt, Grant rotation works a treat

KANGAROOS hooker Ben Hunt has revealed that coach Mal Meninga told both he and Harry Grant a fortnight ago of his plans to switch their starting roles through the opening two games of the World Cup.

Hunt started Australia’s opening game against Fiji before he made way for Grant, who wreaked havoc when he entered the fray.

It was then Grant’s turn to start against Scotland in the second game as Hunt came off the interchange bench and gave the Scots conniptions

Meninga can’t lose whichever way he goes. The primary focus through the opening two games has been the battle of the halves in Nathan Cleary and Daly Cherry-Evans.

Lost amid the hype is the fact that the hooking spot is also up for grabs as Hunt and Grant – good mates who have known each other for more than 20 years – fight it out for the starting berth.

Hunt revealed that Meninga had given the pair a head’s up of his plans to rotate the pair in the starting role through the opening two games as he attempted to finalise his tactics before the finals.

“He told us a couple of weeks ago that it would work out like that – that he would start me in the first game and then he would start Harry in the second,” Hunt said.

“We were prepared for it, we knew it was coming. He hasn’t told us yet who is going to be starting.

“He gave us these two weeks so we will have to wait to see for next week. We are good mates. I have known Harry since he was eight years old.

“We talk about footy and how we can help each other and what other guys do and what we think the other guys should do. It doesn’t come into conversation who is going to start. We just want to play good footy and hope for the best for each other.

“We both sort of play the game differently so if we can take a leaf out of each other’s books and try to help each other, I think that is better for the team.”

Grant finished the opening game of the tournament against Fiji with a try, a try assist and five tackle busts.

Hunt finished the win over Scotland with a couple of try assists of his own as the Kangaroos carved up their opposition.

Their final game against Italy should be a romp as well before the tournament begins to heat up in the quarters. By then, Meninga will likely have settled on his best team.

Asked how he thought things had gone against Scotland, Hunt said: “I thought it went all right. Harry is a great little player and I am not going to be upset if he is the guys who is starting ahead of me.

“He is a world class player., Obviously I would like to start – everyone’s desire is to be start in the team. If I can fit a few positions and help the team out, I am happy to do it.”