Hunt feared worst
Wedding plans might have cost Test career
BEN Hunt thought love may have cost him a Kangaroos recall.
Hunt will make his first Test appearance for Australia in three years when he comes off the bench against Lebanon in Sydney on Saturday. The former Broncos halfback played his only three games for Australia in the 2014 Four Nations.
A World Cup call-up seemed a distant dream when Hunt was dumped to reserve grade by Broncos coach Wayne Bennett midway through last season.
He forged ahead with plans to marry partner Bridget Hagan during his supposed off-season break, only for Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga to throw a spanner in the works.
Hunt admitted he was nervous before asking Meninga for a leave pass to marry Hagan last weekend while Australia confronted France in Canberra.
“I definitely (was concerned) before I asked him,” Hunt said. “I wasn’t sure if he would still want me to be in the team when I couldn’t play a game.
“When I first talked to Mal it was one of the most nervous times I’ve had.
“He was excellent. Straight from the start he was more than happy for me to go and get married. I was really appreciative of that.
“He was really good. I’m grateful.”
Hunt returned to Kangaroos camp a married man and will make what could be his only appearance of the World Cup against the spirited Lebanon at Allianz Stadium. The 27-year-old Dragons recruit is in the squad primarily as a back-up option for hooker Cameron Smith, who has played 36 consecutive Tests and will not be rested during the World Cup.
“He usually gets to play,” Hunt said of Smith.
“I don’t mind. Being such a great squad, I’m happy to be part of the team anywhere.”