Hunt ‘‘shocked’’ to receive award
Mitch Hunt couldn’t have dared believe a drop goal would leave such an indelible mark on his rugby career.
When the first five-eighth kicked a 43m ‘‘droppie’’ in injury time to give the Crusaders a sensational 25-22 victory over the Highlanders in Christchurch last year, he instantly became a celebrity among Super Rugby fans and a hot headline in mainstream and social media.
This was one of those stories that, for all the right reasons, didn’t die at the end of the rugby season. Getting sent friendly emojis and slaps on the back by strangers was one thing, but to be recognised at the Halberg Awards was something else altogether.
Because Hunt’s perfectly timed strike of the ball was recognised at New Zealand’s most prestigious sports prizegiving, with the Kiwi public voting it their Favourite Sporting Moment of 2017.
Hunt said he was surprised to be nominated. So when he was asked by event management staff to travel to the awards evening in Auckland, he wasn’t keen to leave Christchurch. He didn’t want to miss any work at the Crusaders.
‘‘I actually wasn’t planning on going, because of time constraints; we had our trial the next day and also a training to be held at Lincoln.’’
Several persistent emails from organisers and a discussion with team-mate Ryan Crotty convinced Hunt he should make the effort, although when he saw the other entries, which all involved sportsmen and women achieving big things in international events, he convinced himself he wouldn’t have to leave his seat on the big night.
That was until it was announced that the former Nelson College student had won New Zealand sports fans over with his clutch kick at AMI Stadium.
‘‘Yes, I was pretty shocked,’’ Hunt acknowledged. ‘‘Just because of all the names that were on the list. They were all on the international stage, gold medallists or world champions.’’
If you are a professional player it never hurts to be remembered for performing well under extreme pressure, and Hunt’s kick will remain a favourite for many rugbyheads on Youtube for a while yet.
But the 22 year old reckons he has almost seen enough: ‘‘Yeah, I have been sent it a few times. And then there is social media, so I have seen a fair bit of it,’’ he laughed.
‘‘I am almost over it to be fair, just waiting for this season to start.’’
For the record, again, he says the movement that led to his halfback Bryn Hall presenting him with the pass to shape for the kick – the most daring of his career – was no fluke.
‘‘I lot of people have asked ‘what were you thinking?’ and everything like that,’’ Hunt said. ‘‘But it was planned. So we knew it was coming. It was just one of those times when the ball came off the foot very nicely.’’