HOUNDED HUNT TIPPED TO BOUNCE BACK
NSW prop Paul Vaughan has leapt to the defence of his under- fire St George-Illawarra teammate Ben Hunt following the halfback’s forgettable performance for Queensland, calling for the critics to back off.
Hunt, who has copped plenty of heat from disgruntled Maroons supporters after Sunday’s loss to NSW, will be back in the Red V for tomorrow’s clash with Parramatta in Wollongong.
The big question now is what effect his Origin performances and subsequent hammering from fans will have on his club football.
The Dragons halfback conceded a penalty try to Blues skipper Boyd Cordner in the first half with a bump off the ball, while his kicking game was poor in the closing stages. This prompted fans to savage Hunt on social media, but Vaughan said the heat was unfair.
“He doesn’t deserve it,” Vaughan said. “He is a world- class player and he has been playing great all year … I’ll back him 100 per cent.”
Cooper Cronk also said criticism aimed at Hunt had been overplayed. Cronk is one man that understands the pressure associated with the Maroons No. 7 jumper, having made 22 appearances for Queensland between 2010 and 2017.
He has no doubts Hunt can respond.
“He has been in that stadium before and been in situations where he has bounced back,” Cronk said.
“I suppose that is how it is for playmakers.
“You get the accolades when everything goes well and cop a bit of criticism when it doesn’t.”