Sport
20 March, 2026
Opportunity opens up for Hunt
It only took until round two for Fletcher Hunt to be used in the 2026 NRL competition proper.
Warren’s rugby league gun Fletcher Hunt didn’t have to wait long in the new 2026 National Rugby League season for another chance at top-tier professional rugby league.
Hunt, wearing jersey number 18, came on as a substitute for injured superstar fullback Kalyn Ponga in Newcastle’s round two 36-16 win against Manly on Sunday, March 15.
Ponga left the field in the 28th minute after injuring his hamstring while scoring a try with Hunt a direct swap at the back.
Hunt then accepted a brilliant Dylan Brown flick pass to score in the 35th minute.
It was Hunt’s sixth try in the NRL, after scoring five in 12 appearances last year.
Ironically, Brown left the field minutes later, injured while setting up Hunt.
It was part of an impressive match where in 52 minutes Hunt ran for 104 metres from 11 runs and had 18 post-contact metres, five tackle breaks, a line-break assist, two offloads, two tackles and no errors.
He even had a half-time interview with Emma Lawrence from Channel Nine during the Manly match and was asked about his first-half try and also playing without two key playmakers in the second half.
“It was pretty simple … just follow the guys that know how to play footy I suppose, just follow the ball and keep backing up,” Hunt told Channel Nine.
“It’s big shoes to fill (losing Ponga and Brown) but we have the squad to do it. Just follow our processes and system, and we will be sweet. ”
There were reports Ponga, who recently confirmed his national allegiance to New Zealand, may miss up to two months with a high-grade hamstring strain.
Unconfirmed reports also suggested halfback Brown will miss four weeks with a grade two medial cruciate ligament sprain (knee).
Fletcher Sharpe was expected to make his return for the Knights’ round three match at McDonald Jones Stadium against New Zealand Warriors at the time of print deadline.
Originally, Sharpe would have been considered the main alternative to Ponga at fullback, but with Brown injured, it is expected that Sharpe will join Sandon Smith in the halves with Sharpe’s Fletcher mullet-mate Hunt likely to stay as custodian.
It is great news for the former Warren Bulldog and Nyngan Tiger as he may get a chance to cement a place in the starting 13, at least until Brown returns.
Newcastle’s attack has seemingly improved under the tutelage of new mentor Justin Holbrook – a noted offensive mentor.
The Knights have two wins from two matches to sit in fourth place, and have scored 64 points in two matches.
Holbrook has shown great confidence in Hunt by naming him in the top 19 for the first two rounds as outside back cover at centre, wing or fullback.
It was only going to take an injury or two for Hunt to play competition football in 2026, and that has now happened.
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