Wayne Bennett Denies Rumours of Souths’ Interest in Ben Hunt
Wayne Bennett has reportedly dismissed claims that the South Sydney Rabbitohs are interested in signing a second Brisbane Broncos player, Ben Hunt, alongside Payne Haas. The speculation has been circulating after Hunt, a 36-year-old premiership-winning veteran, expressed his desire to continue playing in 2027.
Adam Reynolds is set to retire at the end of the 2026 season, but the Broncos have Jonah Pezet arriving from Parramatta to partner Ezra Mam in the halves. Alongside them, young talents Tom Duffy, Blake Mozer, and Cameron Bukowski are also waiting in the wings. Despite this, Hunt has insisted he will not be retiring anytime soon.
On Wednesday, Broncos legend Corey Parker suggested it would not be wise for the club to re-sign Hunt, especially with the younger players coming through. Parker repeated a rumour that Souths might be interested in Hunt for a one-year deal. “There’s a rumour going around that Bennett has asked for Hunt and his services at Souths for a year,” Parker said on SEN radio. “(Jamie) Humphries and (Cody) Walker haven’t been re-signed at Souths… it could be a reverse Reynolds (who went from Souths to Brisbane).”
However, The Courier Mail reported on Thursday that Bennett has categorically denied the claim and confirmed that Souths won’t be making a play for Hunt. Hunt and Bennett have previously worked together during their stints at the Broncos.
Corey Parker Urges Broncos Not to Re-Sign Ben Hunt
Parker made his stance clear on Wednesday, stating he can’t see why the Broncos would re-sign Hunt for 2027. “The game is not going to slow down and Ben’s speed is behind him,” he said. “It’s a difficult one. I’m friends with him. I love everything he provides. It’s just a fine line. You have to make those calls sometimes.”
“At some point the Broncos have to decide the angle they go with. Maybe they don’t offer a contract and put the money into the younger ones. His wisdom and knowledge you can’t replace. It just can’t come at the cost of younger players.”
Parker highlighted that Hunt is currently sidelined due to a knee injury. “It pains me because I love Benny Hunt,” he said. “From a business point of view, at 38, he’s been on the sidelines now for eight weeks. I’m reluctant to throw a contact at him if there’s an option to bring through young guys.”
Key Points to Consider
- Ben Hunt’s Future: Hunt has shown no signs of retiring and remains a valuable asset to the Broncos.
- Younger Players: The Broncos have several promising young players in the halves, including Tom Duffy, Blake Mozer, and Cameron Bukowski.
- Corey Parker’s Perspective: As a former Broncos legend, Parker believes the club should focus on developing younger talent rather than re-signing older players.
- Injury Concerns: Hunt’s current knee injury adds to the uncertainty about his future with the team.
Bennett’s denial of the Souths interest in Hunt suggests that the focus remains on the Broncos’ current squad and their development plans. With Reynolds set to retire and Pezet arriving, the club is looking to build a strong foundation for the future. However, the decision to re-sign Hunt or invest in younger players will be a tough one for the Broncos management.
