Ben Hunt cops crushing new blow as Dragons captain tipped to lose Kangaroos jersey

Ben Hunt's season to forget for the Dragons could be about to get even worse, with the veteran playmaker tipped to lose his Kangaroos jersey for Australia's end-of-season Test series. The Queensland Origin star has been a mainstay in Mal Meninga's Kangaroos squad over the years, featuring in last year's Pacific Championships and Australia's victorious World Cup campaign in 2022.

But Hunt endured a tough season in the NRL in 2024 and came under fire for his side's late-season collapse that saw them drop out of the top eight and miss out on qualifying for the finals. Now it's emerged that Roosters rival Connor Watson could replace Hunt in the Kangaroos squad, with The Sydney Morning Herald reporting that the Chooks utility is in line to be selected in Meninga's preliminary squad for the Pacific Championships, starting on October 18.

Watson has enjoyed a breakout season in 2024 after being picked to make his State of Origin debut for the Blues, off the back of some terrific form at the Roosters. Watson impressed in the bench utility role for Michael Maguire's Blues in Games 2 and 3 of the Origin series as NSW won the shield back for the first time in three years.

And after missing the entire 2023 campaign with injury, Watson has become an integral part of Trent Robinson's Roosters side in 2024. Watson has proven his ability to play in a number of different positions such as hooker or through the middle and the 28-year-old would be an ideal back-up for Kangaroos No.9 Harry Grant, while also offering more versatility off the bench than Hunt.

Tellingly, Meninga has also spoken previously about wanting to select players who've been part of the finals with their respective teams, which spells bad news for Hunt. The Dragons skipper will not have played a game for more than six weeks when the Kangaroos kick off their Pacific Championship campaign against Tonga in Brisbane on October 18.

Ben Hunt's future at Dragons under question

And if Hunt does lose his Test spot it will continue a disappointing year for the 34-year-old, who was relatively quiet in the Maroons' Origin series defeat and underwhelming for the Dragons at the business end of the season. Hunt was reportedly hit with some harsh truths in an end-of-season review with coach Shane Flanagan, and contract talks for 2026 have been put on hold, with Hunt's leadership at the Dragons under question.

It was revealed earlier this year that Flanagan was keen to extend Hunt into 2026, but contract talks have now been shelved. It was reported recently that the Dragons wouldn't stand in Hunt's way if he could get to another club in 2025, with the Gold Coast Titans touted as a potential landing spot. And league great Gorden Tallis said a club switch could be the best thing for all parties concerned.

“It’s smart, isn’t it?" Tallis said on NRL 360 last week about the Dragons potentially letting Hunt walk. "To me Ben Hunt’s (an) amazing player, (he’s) done an amazing job under a lot of pressure at that club. He’s been a one man band, but he looks tired." Tellingly, Hunt and wife Bridget are both from Queensland and are frequently travelling north to see family. Bridget is said to be keen on a move back to Queensland to be closer to family, and it could be a major factor in Hunt's next career decision.

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In terms of other potential Kangaroos bolters, North Queensland and Blues hooker Reece Robson is another strong candidate to earn a call-up, as well as Cowboys teammate Tom Dearden and Dragons winger Zac Lomax, who was outstanding in his debut Origin series with the Blues. The Kangaroos' fullback spot is arguably the toughest selection choice for Meninga and looms as a three-way battle between incumbent James Tedesco, his Origin successor Dylan Edwards and reigning Dally M Medallist, Kalyn Ponga.