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Dragon Hunt fit, backing up from Origin

Jasper BruceAAP
Ben Hunt will back up from Origin II to play for St George Illawarra against Canberra on Sunday.
Camera IconBen Hunt will back up from Origin II to play for St George Illawarra against Canberra on Sunday. Credit: AAP

St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin has confirmed Dragons captain Ben Hunt will line up against Canberra on Sunday after shaking off a leg injury.

Hunt, 32, appeared to hurt his leg in a tackle playing State of Origin for Queensland in game two of the series last weekend but managed to remain on the field.

While he was named in the side to face the Raiders, Hunt was considered a chance to be cut from the game-day squad if the injury persisted.

However, Griffin confirmed on Saturday that Hunt, who will be vital to the Dragons' chances of victory, had made it through the captain's run unscathed.

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"Benny will play," Griffin said. "He had a good day yesterday, he's freshened up."

Talatau Amone has also been cleared to partner Hunt in the halves despite suffering a head knock playing for Tonga in the representative round.

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"He's fine," Griffin said. "He got through his protocols earlier in the week and had a really good hitout yesterday.

"We've had a good week at training, (the representative round players) are all back and they're all fit."

Griffin warned his side to brace for a new intensity now that the end of the Origin period is in sight.

"It's coming to the end of the rep season and the competition goes to another level now," he said.

"Everyone's trying to find another gear and push into the back end of the year."

The Dragons will move back into the top eight with a win and are also hoping to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Illawarra Steelers, one of two sides that merged to form St George Illawarra, in style.

"We're really aware of how important the day is," Griffin said.

"As a group, within our club, we get the heritage of the Steelers and what they stood for and we're hoping we can replicate that tomorrow."

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