Latest news with #BenHunt
News.com.au
08-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Round 19 team lists: Lachlan Galvin drops back to the bench as the Roosters welcome back their superstar halfback
Lachlan Galvin's role will again be in the spotlight after the high-profile mid-season recruit was named on the bench for Canterbury's trip to North Queensland as they look to bounce back from last week's second-half fadeout. The discourse around where he should play has been heightened with confirmation Toby Sexton and Reed Mahoney won't be at the club next season, but coach Cameron Ciraldo has always maintained the bench is the best place for him right now. Galvin will likely come on in the halves at some stage which will see Sexton shift to hooker, with the Bulldogs keen to pick up a win after they blew an 18-0 lead against the Broncos. They welcome back their Origin stars for the trip north but have lost winger Marcelo Montoya which sees Enari Tuala keep his spot in the team. They face a Cowboys side that features all four Origin stars including Reuben Cotter who has replaced John Bateman in the back row. Ben Hunt's return from a hamstring injury has forced a major change at the Broncos with the veteran named at hooker for Sunday's match against the Titans. The former Origin star hasn't played since round 10 but will start the match with Billy Walters to come off the bench, while Selwyn Cobbo has been dropped to the reserves. 'We have seen what he has done at Origin playing that hooker role, so if he can bring that back here then the boys will be cheering,' Broncos forward Kobe Hetherington said. They face a Titans team that gets Jayden Campbell and David Fifita back, with the barnstorming back-rower to make his return from an ankle injury off the bench. Fletcher Hunt is the man to replace Kalyn Ponga at the back for the Knights for their home game against the Storm, with Newcastle also welcoming back Leo Thompson and Greg Marzhew. The Storm have named fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen after he was a late scratching last week, while Trent Loiero, Harry Grant and Cameron Munster are all listed on an extended bench and in some doubt given they play on Wednesday night. The Roosters have received a huge boost with luckless halfback Sam Walker set to play his first NRL game of the season after a recent setback, with Sandon Smith the man to drop out of the 17. Their Origin stars are all set to play, while Victor Radley and Billy Smith have been named to return from injury. Ivan Cleary has named his Origin quintet on an extended bench for the showdown with Parramatta, with Brian To'o likely to be in some doubt given he's been battling a knee injury. Former Tiger Tallyn Da Silva will make his Eels debut off the bench on Sunday, while the Dolphins have named Sean O'Sullivan as the guy to replace the injured Kodi Nikorima. And Jarome Luai and Api Koroisau are back for the Wests Tigers this weekend against a Warriors side that has made some big changes with Tanah Boyd replacing Luke Metcalf at halfback, while Taine Tuaupiki gets the nod at fullback.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Broncos cop brutal double blow as two players sidelined for at least four weeks
The Brisbane Broncos have been hit with a double blow ahead of Ben Hunt's return with Blake Mozer and Corey Jensen both expected to miss at least four weeks after injury setbacks. After Mozer recently re-signed to stay at the Broncos for another two years, but has not featured under Michael Maguire in the 2025 season. Unfortunately, it appears he will be battling to return before the end of the regular season having broken his jaw in the Queensland Cup game on the weekend. According to The Courier Mail, Mozer left the field for a HIA and didn't return. Although it appears Mozer fractured his jaw during the incident and could spend between six to eight weeks out. Mozer had only recently returned for the Broncos' feeder team after suffering a shoulder injury in pre-season. Mozer is considered a future star at No.9, but has not been used by Maguire so far this season. While Mozer is set for some time on the sideline, reports suggest so will Jensen. The forward was a late withdrawal from the Broncos side to face the Bulldogs last week. And it appears Maguire won't be able to call upon the front-rower after he recovers from Deep Vein Thrombosis. Jensen is set to miss at least four weeks after suffering from the blood clot, according to . Blake Mozer is set to miss at least 6 weeks after suffering a broken jaw in QLD Cup last weekend (via @badel_cmail).Usual recovery range of 6-8 weeks - underrated challenge in recovery from a broken jaw is the weight loss due to restrictions with chewing early on. — NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 7, 2025 While it appears the Broncos won't be able to call on the rising star and veteran for a number of weeks, Maguire has named Hunt this weekend. The veteran recruit injured himself against the Rabbitohs and hasn't played since round 10. The 35-year-old was playing five-eighth before his injury, but with Ezra Mam's return the veteran is expected to switch to dummy-half. Having played plenty of No.9 for Queensland in State of Origin, Hunt could add some more experience to the spine, before the utility comes on. Billy Walters is expected to keep his position in the 17 after a strong few weeks. Kobe Hetherington was full of praise for Hunt ahead of his return. "Everyone knows how good a player he is," Hetherington said. "He is in the leadership group for a reason and brings that leadership, and all us younger fellas get around him. He is such a good talker and is tough as well. We have seen what he has done at Origin playing that hooker role, so if he can bring that back here the boys will be cheering." The Broncos are riding a wave of momentum after coming back from 18-0 down to defeat the Bulldogs last Thursday with a number if key players out due to injury and Origin. And Hetherington claimed the squad was feeling confident after the win. "That is one of the best wins I have been a part of in my career," Hetherington said. "Our back was on the fence in the first half and Madge (coach Michael Maguire) brought us in and said 'boys, keep sticking with it'. "In the first half I thought we defended well, and Madge said 'stay in it and we will get them the back end of the half'. We all believed. We had all those players out (due to Origin and injury) and everyone stood up. It was a good feeling."
News.com.au
01-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
NRL team lists: Selwyn Cobbo named at fullback for the Broncos after confirming move to the Dolphins, Brandon Smith to return in NSW Cup
Dolphins-bound Selwyn Cobbo has earned a Broncos recall at fullback for their Friday night showdown in Sydney against the high-flying Bulldogs as both teams deal with a number of stars away on Origin duty. The Broncos are without key forwards Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan, Maroons rookie Gehamat Shibasaki and Queensland 18th man Reece Walsh which has opened the door for Cobbo to return to the side. Cobbo hasn't played since the round 13 loss to Manly but will start at fullback, while Deine Mariner is also back in the team at left centre, with veteran Ben Hunt still at least another week away. The Bulldogs are also without their Origin quartet but at least they still have Matt Burton at five-eighth, with Lachlan Galvin again named on the bench. Blake Wilson and Enari Tuala are the new men in the backline, with Harry Hayes to start in the front row. Mid-season recruit Brandon Smith has been named on an extended bench for the Rabbitohs but is expected to make his return from injury via NSW Cup where he's been named in jersey No.16. Alex Johnston starts at fullback with Latrell Mitchell away with the Blues, while Jack Wighton switches to five-eighth to replace the injured Cody Walker who has been named in the reserves. There are changes galore in Townsville where Tom Duffy starts at halfback, Harrison Edwards has been named at hooker and Sam McIntyre moves to lock for the Cowboys against a Storm side missing a stack of outside backs. Joe Chan has been named at centre with Kane Bradley on the wing, with Jonah Pezet set to come off the bench after overcoming some horrific injury luck over the past two seasons. Tom Rodwell will make his NRL debut on the wing for the Roosters in Sunday's clash against the Wests Tigers who have moved Adam Doueihi to the halves and Sunia Turuva to fullback due to suspensions and Origin commitments. Tristan Hope starts at hooker in place of Api Koroisau (concussion protocols), while Tallyn Da Silva is no longer at the club after signing with the Eels. The Dragons have been hit hard by injuries with Nathan Lawson, Luciano Leilua, Hamish Stewart and Toby Couchman all unavailable, while Maroons veteran Valentine Holmes will also miss the trip to Canberra. Tyrell Sloan has earned a recall on the wing, while Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Hame Sele are also back in the 17. The Raiders have made one change with Josh Papalii back in the Queensland team, with Corey Horsburgh moving to prop, Morgan Smithies promoted to lock and Trey Mooney coming onto the bench.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Broncos player issues defiant message with Ben Hunt's return set to see him axed
Broncos star Billy Walters has claimed he will fight for his bench position at the club after Michael Maguire is expected to throw Ben Hunt straight into the No.9 role when he returns from injury. Fans were left deflated on Tuesday when it emerged Hunt would not be fit in time for the game against the Warriors on the weekend. Hunt has been out since injuring himself against the Rabbitohs in round 10 after a MCL injury. While he was expected to play this weekend at Suncorp, Maguire has been forced to sit him out for another round after failing to recover in time. This means Cory Paix will start at dummy-half, while Walters will come off the bench. Paix and Walters have switched roles a number of times throughout the season as Maguire has looked to find the right balance for his team. Paix appears to have won back the starting role, which leaves Walters in a precarious situation. Walters appears to have one more chance to prove himself this weekend, before Hunt is fit. And the Broncos utility admitted he isn't ready to let go of his jersey. "I feel like everyone's position's up for grabs," Walters said. "You have got to be playing good footy or you're not going to be in the team. So I don't know which way Madge (coach Michael Magure) is going to go. "It's kind of been up to me and Paixy to see who's playing the best or see who can bring the most to the team, so, I suppose we'll see in the next coming weeks. "I keep asking Dozer (Hunt) when he's going to be back, hoping he can push it back a little bit further just to make sure I'm in the team, but even if I'm not in the team I'll still be trying hard to get back in. You never know with rugby league these days, it could change pretty quickly, so you've always got to be ready and just take the opportunity when it's there." The Broncos have struggled at times this year with Hunt slotting into No.6 while Ezra Mam was serving his suspension. While the likes of Cooper Cronk thought the Broncos were better off with Hunt at five-eighth alongside Adam Reynolds, the form of Reece Walsh dropped as he struggled to link-up with the new spine. Mam's return appears to have helped Walsh play with more freedom and Hunt will revert to the No.9 role he was initially brought into play. While Hunt has played No.7 for most of his NRL career, he shifted to No.9 for Queensland in State of Origin. Slater has opted to use Hunt to start game in previous Origin series, working in tandem with Harry Grant in a dual-hooker role for Queensland. In fact, the Maroons' Game 2 vicory in Perth was the first time in five games that they'd won with the Storm superstar starting at hooker Hunt has excelled in this role having played it for both the Maroons and Australia. The switch would give Brisbane another creative outlet in attack and much needed big-game experience. RELATED: Blow for Storm and Queensland as star ruled out of Origin 3 Corey Parker calls for premiership-winning coach to stand down now While Walters is fighting for his position in the Broncos 17, the utility admitted he is just ready to take advantage of his opportunity. "You can't think too far ahead anyway. You have got to enjoy every moment that you pull on the Broncos jersey and be grateful for every chance that you get and go out there and play your best footy," he added. I just know if I'm playing my best football, then I'll be in the team somewhere."
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Major boost for Broncos and Queensland after big development around veteran playmaker
Ben Hunt could have one game to impress Queensland coach Billy Slater before the Maroons' Game 3 squad is announced, with the veteran gunning to return early from injury in a major boost for the Broncos. Hunt has been sidelined since round 10 with a hamstring injury but is reportedly in line to make his NRL comeback in Saturday's crunch home clash against the Warriors. reports that Hunt will undergo a series of fitness tests on his troublesome hamstring and looks set to be named in coach Michael Maguire's 22-man squad on Tuesday if he comes through them unscathed. The Broncos coach confirmed to the publication that the veteran playmaker is progressing well, but insisted they would not take any risks with the 35-year-old if he is not right. ''Hunty' is doing well,' Maguire told The Courier Mail. 'We have just got to make sure the old boy is 100 per cent ready to go." The Broncos jumped to fifth on the ladder after their impressive come-from-behind win against Cronulla in round 16, and will come up against a fourth-placed Warriors side desperate to atone for their shock loss to a depleted Penrith. If Hunt does prove his fitness, it could give Maguire his first look at what most believe to be Brisbane's first-choice spine. Fullback Reece Walsh is starting to hit form after returning from injury, while Ezra Mam has slotted back into the halves alongside Adam Reynolds after serving his nine-game ban. Hunt would be expected to complete the star-studded quartet by shifting to hooker. It's a role the veteran has performed well at rep level for the Maroons and Kangaroos, and would give Brisbane another creative outlet in attack and much needed big-game experience. Billy Walters and Cory Paix have battled for the No.9 jersey at Brisbane this season but one of them will almost certainly drop out when Hunt returns. RELATED: Teammate axed as Manly reveal backflip around Turbo switch Devastating blow for Knights as young gun could miss rest of season State of Origin player floated for immediate NRL club switch Maguire is optimistic that Hunt will be fit enough to face the Warriors on Saturday, but could hold off on his return until the following Friday when they play the ladder-leading Bulldogs. But with Slater set to name his Maroons squad for the Origin decider after this weekend's games, Hunt will be desperate to feature against the Warriors and press his claims for a Queensland recall. Hunt has been Slater's preferred No.9 in previous Origin series, working in tandem with Harry Grant in a dual-hooker role for Queensland. In fact, the Maroons' Game 2 victory in Perth was the first time in five games that they'd won with the Storm superstar starting at hooker. Grant was immense for the Maroons in Game 2 with a whopping 55 tackles and a try assist in Perth, where he showed that Slater might not need another hooker after playing the full 80 minutes. Kurt Mann also impressed in his 36-minute stint that included a try assist, 19 tackles and three tackle breaks from his 35 running metres. Mann injected plenty of energy off the bench for Queensland but would seem the man most likely to make way if Hunt were to earn an Origin recall. And with the series on the line in enemy territory, Hunt's experience on the big stage could give Slater a major decision to make, if he makes a successful return for Brisbane this weekend.
