World Cup mateship to be put aside for Origin: Hunt

Kangaroos star Ben Hunt insists State of Origin will still have the same rivalry despite the close bond developed between NSW and Queensland players at last year’s World Cup in England.

The Australian team, under coach Mal Meninga, overcame concerns about Origin tensions boiling over within the camp to retain the Paul Barrière Trophy with a 30-10 defeat of Samoa at Old Trafford.

Due to COVID, the Kangaroos had not played a Test since 2019 so there was a lack of familiarity between the Blues and Maroons stars but Hunt said they had formed strong friendships during the seven week World Cup campaign.

“It was amazing how we came together over there,” Hunt said. “For myself, I’ve played eight or 10 years against some of them and had never met them before.

“To get the opportunity to be around guys like Teddy [James Tedesco] and the guys from NSW is something I enjoyed, and it was good to get to know them. They are really good fellows.”

However, Hunt said that those friendships would be put aside when NSW and Queensland meet in the opening Origin clash at Adelaide Oval on May 31.

“Origin will always have its rivalries so I don’t think that will change,” he said. “It is not about who is in the jersey, it is about the colour of the jersey.

“It was a real good bunch of fellows at the World Cup and we enjoyed our time together but when we come back to Origin it is just about the Maroon and Blue.”

After securing victory for Queensland with an intercept try in last year’s Origin series decider at Suncorp Stadium, Hunt capped the best year of his career by helping the Kangaroos to World Cup glory in England.

While he plays halfback for St George Illawarra, Hunt shared the hooking duties for the Maroons and Kangaroos with Melbourne’s Harry Grant and has established himself as a key player at both Origin and international level.

“As a kid you dream of playing for your state and doing something special like that so it is just something I will never forget,” the Dragons captain said of his Origin try.

“For me personally, the year was topped off with the World Cup. In 2017 I was in the [Australian] squad but I only played one game, so I didn’t have a big involvement.

"It was a good experience to being around guys like Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk, and to see how they play the game and view the game. 

“But going over to England, I had an opportunity to be involved and have an impact on winning a medal and winning a World Cup. That’s something I am very proud of.”

There were more than 150 NRL players involved across the 14 World Cup nations and despite only returning to pre-season training in January most have quickly hit top form in one of the best seasons in recent memory.

Hunt said the positive attitude of clubs and coaches towards the World Cup was a significant factor.

“When you win a World Cup it puts you in a pretty positive mindset and I guess you feel pretty good about your footy and how things are going," Hunt said.

“But most of the guys I’ve talked to, their clubs looked after them pretty well and gave them a good break.

"When they came back, they weren’t flogged, so I’m not surprised that everyone who came back from the World Cup is playing good footy."