- Played inspirational role in big win over Wests Tigers
- He was criticized for getting carried away after scoring a try.
- It comes as Tigers coach Benji Marshall threatens to swing the axe.
The St George Illawarra Dragons crushed the Wests Tigers 56-14 at Wollongong’s WIN Stadium, however Dragons captain Ben Hunt’s unusual outburst threatened to overshadow his stellar performance.
The Tigers led 14-12 at halftime, but collapsed in the second half, conceding seven unanswered tries.
The 44-point award is the worst suffered by any NRL team in more than two years.
Hunt, continuing his stellar form from his two-try performance in Queensland’s State of Origin win on Wednesday night, scored a phenomenal try, evading three Tigers players.
His performance included four try assists, a line break assist 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 nasty from Ben Hunt throwing the ball to the kid on debut,” said Dan Ginnane of Fox League.
Fainu did not debut: it was his 16th NRL game.
The try was awarded, but experts such as Cooper Cronk criticized Hunt’s action.
“He’s a competitor and I don’t think he had to do that Ben Hunt thing, throw the ball to Fainu,” Cronk said.
Ginnane added that Fainu’s reaction did not justify an eight-point attempt.
Despite the incident, the attempt stood and the Dragons continued to dominate.
Hunt stepped back after 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 behaviour:
‘There’s no need for that. “I haven’t seen Ben Hunt do anything like that,” Johns said.
Fans were also furious.
Poor cowardly shit Ben Hunt! He deserved a knuckle sandwich for that trash. one published.
‘Imagine if Latrell Mitchell did what Ben Hunt just did. “People would ask for his head,” added another.
“It was unprofessional sportsmanship on his part,” complained another.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall called the second half “unacceptable” and warned of possible changes after the team’s ninth consecutive loss.
“I’m sorry the fans have to see that capitulation in the second half,” Marshall said.
He stressed that if the players’ actions do not change, the players themselves will have to do so.
‘I’ll say it again. If the actions don’t change, then the players have to change. “It’s unacceptable,” Marshall concluded.