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Injury Setbacks Rock Broncos and Queensland as Ben Hunt and Ben Te Kura Ruled Out

 

The Brisbane Broncos are reeling from a frustrating double injury blow that threatens to derail their mid-season momentum — and it’s a hit that also carries serious implications for Queensland in the State of Origin series.

 

Veteran utility Ben Hunt has suffered a fresh hamstring setback during his rehabilitation process, leaving head coach Michael Maguire unable to name him for this week’s clash against the high-flying Cronulla Sharks. To make matters worse, promising young forward Ben Te Kura has been sidelined for up to two months after undergoing surgery, placing further pressure on Brisbane’s already thin forward rotation.

 

The Broncos had just begun to find their footing again, snapping a rough stretch with a win over the Gold Coast Titans before the bye. That bounce-back came in part thanks to the return of fullback Reece Walsh, injecting much-needed spark into the side. Heading into Round 16, hopes were high that Hunt’s veteran presence would further strengthen the squad — especially as Brisbane prepares to face the fifth-placed Sharks.

 

Instead, Maguire was dealt a cruel hand. Hunt, who had been tracking toward a return after his Round 10 hamstring injury against the Rabbitohs, has not made the expected progress. Despite early optimism, the club confirmed via The Daily Telegraph that the veteran playmaker won’t feature this weekend. His hamstring has not responded well enough to resume high-intensity play, pushing his return timeline back at least another week.

 

This development is not only a setback for the Broncos, but could also prove problematic for Queensland coach Billy Slater, who is navigating a complex selection puzzle ahead of Game 2 in Perth.

 

 

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Hunt’s Value at Club and State Level

 

Although best known as a halfback throughout his NRL career, Hunt has often flourished in the representative arena as a No.9 — particularly in the Origin arena. His partnerships with Harry Grant have been vital to Queensland’s success, with Hunt typically starting at dummy-half before Grant enters as an impact player off the bench.

 

While there was no guarantee Hunt would have featured in the 2025 Origin series, Slater would have liked the option, especially given the changes he made following the Maroons’ Game 1 defeat. Hunt’s leadership, work rate, and calm under pressure have made him a consistent and dependable Origin performer. His absence removes a key strategic option from Queensland’s playbook — at a time when the side is under increasing scrutiny.

 

 

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Maguire’s Positional Plan Disrupted

 

At club level, Hunt was brought to the Broncos with a clear purpose: to function as a specialist No.9 while Adam Reynolds remains the primary organiser in the halves. That vision, however, hasn’t materialized. Since arriving in Brisbane, Hunt has not played a full match in the dummy-half role due to injury setbacks.

 

In his absence, Ezra Mam returned from suspension and resumed duties in the halves, while the hooker spot has rotated between Cory Paix and Billy Walters. Hunt’s eventual return was expected to shuffle the deck, but the delay forces Maguire to stick with a patchwork spine for at least another week.

 

 

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A Second Blow: Ben Te Kura Out for Two Months

 

As if the Hunt situation wasn’t enough of a headache, Maguire now also faces a major loss in the forward pack. Young prop Ben Te Kura, who had recently earned his way back into the top squad after proving himself in the QLD Cup, has been ruled out for six to eight weeks due to injury.

 

Te Kura had been growing in confidence and form during the early stages of the season and was seen as a rising talent capable of adding physicality to the Broncos’ front line. According to AAP reporter Joel Gould, Te Kura recently underwent surgery, ruling him out for the bulk of the second half of the season.

 

The Broncos’ middle rotation is already stretched thin, and Te Kura’s loss significantly reduces Maguire’s flexibility, especially as Origin call-ups and injuries bite across the league.

 

 

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Ben Talty Signs Amid Crisis

 

In response to mounting injury concerns, Brisbane has moved quickly to bolster their depth. Reports suggest that the club has signed journeyman forward Ben Talty on an immediate contract. Talty has been part of the Melbourne Storm system since 2023 and has been turning heads with consistent performances in the NSW Cup for the North Sydney Bears.

 

At 26, Talty offers maturity and work ethic, if not superstar credentials. But at this point in the season, reinforcements of any kind are welcome. Whether he steps straight into first-grade contention remains to be seen, but his signing signals that the Broncos are scrambling to patch up their roster as the season intensifies.

 

 

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Payne Haas the X-Factor?

 

Amid the injury woes, all eyes will now be on Payne Haas, who is expected to back up from State of Origin Game 2 and return to club duties. Haas has been a pillar of strength for both New South Wales and the Broncos, and Maguire will be desperate to have him available to stabilize the pack against a physical Sharks side.

 

The pressure is mounting on Maguire, whose side has won just two of their last eight matches. While injuries have played a role in Brisbane’s inconsistency, the head coach knows results must improve soon to keep the club’s finals hopes alive.

 

 

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What’s Next?

 

The Broncos face Cronulla this weekend, a top-five side boasting both form and experience. Without Hunt and Te Kura, Maguire must once again shuffle his side, relying on younger players and fringe selections to step up.

 

For Queensland, the bigger question now becomes how Slater will construct his bench and dummy-half rotation without Hunt. Harry Grant’s workload may increase, or Slater may turn to another utility option entirely.

 

Either way, it’s a critical week for both club and state — and the absence of Ben Hunt could be felt far beyond just Brisbane.