Dearden vs Hunt: Who replaces Munster for the decider?

Queensland were left reeling when news that five-eighth Cameron Munster and winger Murray Taulagi had tested positive for COVID-19 broke late last week and would subsequently miss Wednesday night’s Origin decider.

Murray’s absence is a disappointing but manageable one; Brisbane flanker Corey Oates has eight Origin caps under his belt and has been a part of a pair of winning series.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed a career renaissance this season at the Broncos and has been one of the premiership’s most productive wingers.

He will slot in on the opposite side to Broncos teammate Selwyn Cobbo and offers Queensland valuable yardage contributions and finishing nous.

The Munster absence, however, is slightly more convoluted. The Storm superstar was Queensland’s best player in Game I and has arguably the most impressive Origin resumé of any current player.

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The two contenders to replace Munster – North Queensland’s Tom Dearden and St. George Illawarra’s Ben Hunt – each have arguments favouring their inclusion and whichever option head coach Billy Slater lands on could make or break Queensland’s chances.

The decision is not as straightforward as asking the question, “whose had the better season?”

Dearden has enjoyed a breakout season for a North Queensland side who has exceeded even the highest of expectations.

Hunt, meanwhile, has been the engine of a mediocre St. George Illawarra squad and looks poised to contend for a maiden Dally M Medal.

Statistics courtesy of Fox Sports.

Both players bring vastly different skillsets; after all, Dearden wears the six at clubland and Hunt the seven.

Dearden has been a more willing and effective ball-runner this season and has defended at a much higher level than Hunt.

Club form, however, does not always translate to the Origin arena.

Hunt, for example, has played most of the year alongside 20-year-old Junior Amone and has carried a heavier playmaking and kicking load than any other player in the premiership.

It comes as little surprise that his running and defensive work have take a hit given the effort he expends across the park.

Playing five-eighth alongside Daly Cherry-Evans for Queensland would present a different situation for the 32-year-old.

He gets his hands on the ball a tonne at St. George Illawarra and is responsible for virtually all of his side’s kicking.

Few players this season have been as effective creating opportunities for their teammates; he is ninth in the NRL in total try involvements, whilst Dearden is 20th.

Dearden offers more of a running threat and has proven to be one of the premiership’s strongest defensive halves, whilst Hunt will get his hands on the ball multiple times per set and attempt to kick his side to victory.

Given Cherry-Evans’ kicking and playmaking chops, Slater may feel Dearden offers a more balanced foil for the Maroons skipper.

Hunt’s experience, however, also gives the Queensland coaching staff something to think about.

With 282 NRL games and 13 Origins under his belt, he knows what it takes; there have been instances where he has been the best player on an Origin field.

Hooker Harry Grant is another piece to the puzzle.

The Yeppoon product has played 43 and 48 minutes off the bench at dummy-half across the first two games of the series, with Hunt bearing the initial brunt of the contest and coming back on to close out the game.

If Slater is unconvinced by Grant’s ability to last the distant in the middle, he will need a second hooker.

Given the rotation he has stuck to in the first two clashes of the series, it seems unlikely that he entrusts Grant with the full-time hooking role.

When considering the balance of the halves and the spine as a whole, debutant Dearden may make the most sense.

Given his 2022 form and Origin wisdom, however, Hunt will have many backers.

The expectation is that Dearden will slot seamlessly into the five-eighth spot with Hunt and Grant will again share the hooking role.

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