Footy reacts as Ben Hunt shuts down NSW’s historic Origin sweep

Queensland have spoiled NSW’s first clean sweep in 21 years to show there is still some life left in the Maroons.

Coming into the game on the wrong side of a 76-6 combined score against, the combined score was still the most lopsided in history at 94-26 but the scoreline that mattered was that the series ended 2-1, helping the Maroons save face.

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With the halves of Cameron Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans the same throughout the series, it was the first time Kalyn Ponga and Ben Hunt were selected — and they appeared to make all the difference.

Ponga had 15 runs for 182m, a line break and saved a certain try in the second half when Tom Trbojevic passed instead of going himself.

But the difference on the scoreboard was made by hooker Ben Hunt.

Hunt, who has been criticised in the past for his performances — particularly the kick off drop that cost the Broncos the 2015 Grand Final — and whether he lives up to $1 million pay check for the Dragons, put in the Origin performance of his life.

Left out in game one and coming off the bench in game two, Hunt was outstanding, dragging the Maroons over the line — literally.

The hooker scored coming out of dummy half in the 56th minute at 12-8 down to wrestle the lead from Blues, before doubling up in the 63rd minute.

Post-match, Hunt gave his

“That was chaos, absolute chaos,” he said. “Back end was hanging out. Welshy done that high tackle, I wanted to kill him. I was gone, just wanted to get the ball back. Massive credit to our boys.”

But while he arguably played the Origin match of his life, Hunt went the humble approach when asked about who the difference was for the Maroons.

“Kalyn Ponga for me, mate,” Hunt said. “He’s an exceptional talent, started our stats really well. On the back of our attack he made it really crisp and I think he add ed a lot around the middle. It is real good.”

Defensively tonight it was a big effort. Very proud of them.

Maroons legend Billy Slater said Hunt “owned the big moments”.

Former Blues hooker Michael Ennis said Hunt was “terrific” from the opening whistle with his service from dummy half.

“He could be a great number nine if he wanted to move there permanently,” Ennis said.

Cooper Cronk added: “For someone who doesn’t like playing No. 9, geez he’s good at it. Whether he comes off the bench or starts from the dummy half position, he just has this ability to dumb things down. He simplifies things, he plays what he sees and goes after it. He competes more in the No. 9 position that he does from the halfback position.”

He was far from the only one who praised Hunt’s performance with former Origin forward Martin Lang posted on Twitter: “Ben Hunt … Queensland thanks you.”