Andrew Johns has singled out the Maroons key man for Game One. (AAP Image/David Moir)
Andrew Johns has singled out the Maroons key man for Game One. (AAP Image/David Moir)

Johns: The one man the Blues should be worried about

BEN Hunt has received the green light to play but it's Queensland's other inexperienced half who has NSW great Andrew Johns on high alert ahead of Wednesday's State of Origin opener in Melbourne.

Halfback Hunt (corked thigh) is set to make his starting debut after meeting a fitness deadline by training strongly on Sunday, along with teammates Billy Slater (hamstring) and Josh McGuire (ankle).

However Johns says Hunt's halves partner Cameron Munster is the man the Blues should fear, even though he will be playing just his second Origin game.

Cameron Munster shapes as Queensland’s game-breaker. Pics Adam Head
Cameron Munster shapes as Queensland’s game-breaker. Pics Adam Head

"Munster, he's the one I'll be worried about. Because it comes down to big moments," Johns told Nine Network's Sunday Footy Show.

"In those big moments he'll say 'give me the ball I'm going to win the game'." Johns said he knew Munster was the real deal after his first touch in Queensland's game three win in 2017 that sealed an 11th series win in 12 years.

"He's a running five-eighth. Look at that strength, look at that right-hand fend," Johns said.

"He debuted last year and got man of the match. It just goes to show what a player he is.

"His first touch in Origin, he got the ball, dummied and nearly shimmied through on the second play of the game. It just goes to show the strength.

"And his mentality … he doesn't care if he makes an error. That's what makes him such a dangerous player." Hunt impressed in Queensland's opposed session against the Maroons under-18 side at the Gold Coast on Sunday.

The St George Illawarra playmaker admitted to some anxious moments as he had raced the clock to be ready.

"At the start of the week you are a bit nervous, the physios are holding you back but the more the week went on the better I felt," Hunt said.

"I had a full contact session and I got through that fine - I am ready to go."

After making his Origin debut off the bench in game three last year, Hunt hoped to lock in a long-term Maroons halves combination with Munster.

"I want to do my best to play well to start with and hopefully cement my spot for the future," he said.

"We had time together in the World Cup squad and we know each other pretty well - the more I can get him (Munster) the ball the better he will be."

Queensland held their final session at their Gold Coast camp on Sunday before flying to Melbourne on Monday.


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