Walters faces call on Hunt’s fitness
D-DAY has arrived for Maroons halfback Ben Hunt as pressure builds on Queensland’s new playmaker to prove his fitness for Origin I.
Queensland coach Kevin Walters will decide today whether Hunt receives the green light to make his starting debut against NSW in Origin I on Wednesday. Hunt’s former Broncos teammate Anthony Milford, who has entered Camp Maroon with five other shadow players, is on standby should the Dragons halfback succumb to a thigh injury.
The Maroons yesterday ramped up preparations for the MCG series opener with their first training run since arriving at their Sanctuary Cove base on the Gold Coast. But several Maroons are racing the clock for Game One, with Hunt (thigh), fullback Billy Slater (hamstring) and lock Josh McGuire (ankle) taking a cautious approach at training yesterday.
The Maroons traditionally give injured players until Sunday to prove their fitness, but without retired trio Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk, Walters is keen to minimise disruptions.
Hunt had intensive treatment last night on the corked thigh he suffered six days ago against the Panthers.
“I’ll make a decision on Ben (today),” Walters said.
“I reckon he will be OK to play but we’ve got options if that’s not the case.”