Blues prop backs Ben to return

NSW prop Paul Vaughan has leapt to the defence of his under-fire St George Illawarra teammate Ben Hunt following his forgettable performance for Queensland, calling for the critics to back off.

Hunt copped plenty of heat from disgruntled Maroons supporters after his indifferent display in Sunday’s loss to NSW, but Vaughan said the heat was unfair.

“He doesn’t deserve Vaughan told the Bulletin.

“He is a world class player and he has been playing great all year. I was reading the paper while eating breakfast and he doesn’t deserve it.

“I’m not going to say he has been made into a scapegoat, but they are pepping up a bit. But I’ll back him 100 per cent.”

Roosters halfback and Maroons legend Cooper Cronk, whose Origin retirement paved the way for Hunt’s selection in Game One, also believes criticism aimed at Hunt has been overplayed.

“There were probably a couple of kicks, but other than that I thought Ben’s competitive nature and defence was (good). Unfortunately, on the biggest stage, the finer things become highlighted,” he said. it,”