Interchange prop Royce Hunt delivered a game-changing 19-minute performance to inspire the Cronulla Sharks to a 22-12 victory over the Brisbane Broncos, reinforcing their premiership credentials.
Hunt’s powerful runs and aggressive tackles, coming just before halftime when the Sharks were trailing 12-4, shifted the game’s momentum. His impact contributed significantly to Cronulla’s dominant second half, where they scored 22 unanswered points.
The impressive win came even without NSW halfback Nicho Hynes, who was rested due to a calf injury, and showcased the Sharks’ depth and resilience following recent losses.
Captain Cameron McInnes led by example, while Jesse Ramien and Siosifa Talakai made strong cases for Origin II selection with their performances. Despite a promising start from the Broncos, with Kotoni Staggs and Pat Carrigan initially giving them the lead, the Sharks’ second-half surge, including key plays from Braydon Trindall and Blayke Brailey, sealed the victory. The win keeps Cronulla in second place, while the Broncos risk dropping out of the top eight depending on upcoming results from other teams.
