Dragons skipper Ben Hunt backs up Origin masterclass in Tigers flogging, but fans are fuming over ‘gutless’ act
- Played an inspiring role in the big win over Wests Tigers
- Was criticized for getting carried away after scoring a try
- Comes as Tigers coach Benji Marshall threatens to swing the axe
The St George Illawarra Dragons crushed the Wests Tigers 56-14 at WIN Stadium in Wollongong but Dragons captain Ben Hunt’s uncharacteristic outburst threatened to overshadow his stellar performance.
The Tigers led 14-12 at half-time but fell in the second half, conceding seven unanswered tries.
The 44-point concession is the worst suffered by an NRL team in more than two years.
Hunt, who continued his stellar form after his two-try performance in home state of Queensland on Wednesday night, scored a phenomenal try, evading three Tigers players.
His performance included four try assists, a line break and a line break assist.
Despite this, Hunt caused a stir by throwing the ball to Tigers player Samuela Fainu after scoring.
“And a bit of meanness from Ben Hunt as he throws the ball at the lad on his debut,” said Fox League’s Dan Ginnane.
Fainu wasn’t on his debut – it was his 16th NRL match.
The effort was rewarded, but experts such as Cooper Cronk condemned Hunt’s action.
“He’s a competitor and I don’t think he had to do this Ben Hunt thing, throw the ball to Fainu,” Cronk said.
Ginnane added that Fainu’s response did not warrant an eight-point try.
Despite the incident, the effort held up and the Dragons continued their dominance.
Hunt backed up a two-try performance for the Queensland Maroons on Wednesday
Hunt celebrates with Queensland teammate Tom Dearden after scoring a try against the New South Wales Blues on Wednesday night
On Nine, Phil Gould and Andrew Johns disapproved of Hunt’s behavior:
‘It is not necessary. I’ve never seen Ben Hunt do anything like that before,” Johns said.
Fans were also left fuming.
‘Poor, cowardly nonsense from Ben Hunt! I deserved a knuckle sandwich for that nonsense.’ one posted.
“Imagine if Latrell Mitchell did what Ben Hunt just did. People would be calling for his head,” another added.
“It was unprofessional sportsmanship on his part,” groused yet another.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall called the second half “unacceptable” and warned of possible changes after the team’s ninth straight loss.
“I feel sorry for the fans who have to watch that capitulation in the second half,” Marshall said.
He emphasized that if players’ actions don’t change, the players themselves will have to do so.
‘I’ll say it again. If the actions don’t change, the players must change. It is unacceptable,” Marshall concluded.