SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Morgan doesn't have much advice for Hunt

Michael Morgan says there isn't much advice he can pass on to new Queensland bench utility Ben Hunt despite holding the role for the last two years.

Ben Hunt.
Ben Hunt will make his State of Origin debut for Queensland in the series decider in Brisbane. (AAP)

3 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

For the last two years he has been Queensland's Mr Fix-it but Michael Morgan says there isn't much advice he can pass on to new Maroons bench utility and Origin debutant Ben Hunt.

Morgan, however, admits he will be soaking up as many tips as he can before a rare start at centre in Wednesday night's series decider in Brisbane.

Brisbane halfback Hunt will make his Origin debut in game three after North Queensland playmaker Morgan graduated to the centres for Darius Boyd (thumb) following seven straight games off the Maroons bench.

Yet Morgan didn't feel there was much he could tell Hunt, who had held the utility role at representative level before the Cowboys star had even made his Origin debut in 2015.

"There's really not too much advice that I can give him other than to enjoy the occasion," Morgan said in his Fox Sports column.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"The utility role is something he's pretty familiar with. He played his first 50 or so games doing a similar thing at the Broncos.

"In fact, he's probably played that role more times than I have at NRL level. I only ever do it when I come into these rep sides."

Hunt began his Broncos career off the bench and was given the Kangaroos' utility job during the 2014 Four Nations, scoring a try on debut and in the final.

As a result Morgan backed Hunt to handle his Origin role, despite being a potential defensive target as the equal shortest player on the field at 178cm.

"At the moment I think he'll be playing a similar role to what I was playing, " Morgan said.

"Even though he's a bit shorter than me, he's a deceptively strong runner and defender.

"He's defended through the middle a number of times throughout his career and if that's what he's needed to do, I'm sure he'll ace it."

While he may not have much advice for Hunt, Morgan was seeking plenty for his new job lining up against NSW strike weapon Josh Dugan.

Morgan has never played at centre in well over 100 NRL games.

"It's definitely going to be a challenge," Morgan said.

"But when Kev (Queensland coach Kevin Walters) asked if I would be comfortable there I said yes straight away because the guys around me will give me confidence.

"I might even hit up Darius Boyd for some advice. I'll talk to (fullback) Billy Slater a fair bit, too."


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world