# Royce Hunt
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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royce_Hunt
> Source revision: 1357024497
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{{Short description|Samoa international rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Royce Hunt
|fullname =
|image = Royce Hunt.png
|imagesize =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1995|08|13}}
|birth_place = [Liverpool, New South Wales](/source/Liverpool%2C_New_South_Wales), Australia
|height = {{convert|183|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|114|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|position = {{rlp|PR}}
|club1 = [Canberra Raiders](/source/Canberra_Raiders)
|year1start = 2017
|year1end =
|appearances1 = 1
|tries1 = 0
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 0
|club2 = {{nowrap|[Cronulla Sharks](/source/Cronulla-Sutherland_Sharks)}}
|year2start = 2020
|year2end = 24
|appearances2 = 74
|tries2 = 8
|goals2 = 0
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 32
|club3 = {{nowrap|[Wests Tigers](/source/Wests_Tigers)}}
|year3start = 2025
|year3end = present
|appearances3 = 27
|tries3 = 4
|goals3 = 0
|fieldgoals3 = 0
|points3 = 16
|teamA = {{nowrap|[Māori All Stars](/source/New_Zealand_M%C4%81ori_rugby_league_team)}}
|yearAstart = 2022
|yearAend = 25
|appearancesA = 4
|triesA = 0
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 0
|teamB = [Samoa](/source/Samoa_national_rugby_league_team)
|yearBstart = 2022
|yearBend = 23
|appearancesB = 6
|triesB = 1
|goalsB = 0
|fieldgoalsB = 0
|pointsB = 4
|retired =
|source = [{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/royce-hunt/summary.html |title=Royce Hunt - Career Stats & Summary |publisher=Rugby League Project |date=1995-08-13 |accessdate=2017-06-26}}]
|updated = 30 May 2026
}}
'''Royce Hunt''' (born 13 August 1995) is a [Samoa](/source/Samoa_national_rugby_league_team) international [rugby league](/source/rugby_league) footballer who plays as a {{rlp|pr}} for the [Wests Tigers](/source/Wests_Tigers) in the [National Rugby League](/source/National_Rugby_League) (NRL).
Hunt previously played for the [Canberra Raiders](/source/Canberra_Raiders) and [Cronulla Sharks](/source/Cronulla_Sharks) in the NRL.
==Early life==
Hunt was born in [Liverpool](/source/Liverpool%2C_New_South_Wales), Sydney, and raised in Kalgoorlie.[{{Cite news |date=2024-09-19 |title=Cronulla star Royce Hunt's long road from outback WA to the NRL finals |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-20/royce-hunt-kalgoorlie-wa-to-nrl-finals-cronulla-/104359832 |access-date=2026-04-23 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}] He is of Samoan, Hawaiian and Maori descent.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}} He was educated at [Kalgoorlie State High School](/source/Kalgoorlie-Boulder_Community_High_School).{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}
Hunt played his junior rugby league for the [Willagee Bears](/source/Willagee_Bears) and [Goldfields Titans](/source/Goldfields_Titans) in the [Western Australia Rugby League](/source/Western_Australia_Rugby_League), before being signed by the [Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs](/source/Canterbury-Bankstown_Bulldogs).{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}
Arriving at [Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs](/source/Canterbury-Bankstown_Bulldogs), Hunt attended [Bass High School](/source/Bass_High_School) and represented the [2013 Australian Schoolboys](/source/Australian_Schoolboys_rugby_league_team).[{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-2130-0-0-0&sID=26416&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=25953696|title=Australians Win Second Test - Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League - FOX SPORTS PULSE|publisher=foxsportspulse.com|accessdate=2014-07-25}}]
==Playing career==
===Early career===
In 2014 and 2015, Hunt played for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs' [NYC](/source/National_Youth_Competition_(rugby_league)) team.[{{cite web|url=https://nycdatabase.org/players/h/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706075110/http://nycdatabase.org/players/h/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=6 July 2015 |title=H |publisher=Nyc Database |date= |accessdate=2017-06-10}}] In 2016, he joined the [Mount Pritchard Mounties](/source/Mount_Pritchard_Mounties) in the [Intrust Super Premiership NSW](/source/Intrust_Super_Premiership_NSW).[{{cite web|author=NRL Digital Media |url=http://www.raiders.com.au/news/2016/03/08/nsw_cup_team_list_mo.html |title=NSW Cup Team List: Mounties v Wyong |publisher=Raiders |date= |accessdate=2017-06-10}}] After impressing for the Mounties, he gained a contract with the [Canberra Raiders](/source/Canberra_Raiders) for 2017.[{{cite web|author=Rugby League |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-league/canberra-raiders/raiders-prop-shannon-boyd-ruled-out-but-dave-taylor-recalled-to-nrl-squad-20170606-gwl9os.html |title=Raiders prop Shannon Boyd ruled out, but Dave Taylor recalled to NRL squad |publisher=Canberratimes.com.au |date=2017-06-06 |accessdate=2017-06-10}}]
===2017===
In round 14 of the [2017 NRL season](/source/2017_NRL_season), Hunt made his [NRL](/source/National_Rugby_League) debut for Canberra against the [Penrith Panthers](/source/Penrith_Panthers).[{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/updated-team-lists-panthers-v-raiders/tabid/10874/newsid/108706/default.aspx |title=Updated team lists: Panthers v Raiders |publisher=NRL.com |date= |accessdate=2017-06-10}}][{{cite web|author=NRL Digital Media |url=http://www.raiders.com.au/news/2017/06/10/nrl_late_mail_raider.html |title=NRL Late Mail: Raiders v Panthers |publisher=Raiders |date= |accessdate=2017-06-10}}]
===2018===
Hunt made no first grade appearances for Canberra in the [2018 NRL season](/source/2018_NRL_season) instead playing for [Mounties](/source/Mount_Pritchard_Mounties) in the [Canterbury Cup NSW](/source/Canterbury_Cup_NSW) competition.[{{cite web|url=https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2018/03/24/report-mounties-v-canterbury-bankstown2/|title=Bulldogs Overcome Slow Start to Defeat Mounties|website=NSWRL}}]
===2019===
Hunt made no appearances for Canberra in the [2019 NRL season](/source/2019_NRL_season). Hunt instead played against for Mounties in the [Canterbury Cup NSW](/source/Canterbury_Cup_NSW) competition as they qualified for the finals finishing in 6th place. Hunt played in Mounties elimination final loss against [Newtown](/source/Newtown_Jets) at [Campbelltown Stadium](/source/Campbelltown_Stadium).[{{cite web|url=https://www.nswrl.com.au/draw/nsw-cup/2019/finals-week-1/mounties-v-jets/|title=Finals week 1|website=NSWRL}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/royce-on-the-hunt-for-second-canberra-raiders-game-20190206-p50vyn.html/|title=Royce on the hunt for second Canberra game|website=SMH}}]
[[File:ROYCE HUNT.jpg|thumb|right|Hunt playing for the [Newtown Jets](/source/Newtown_Jets) in 2022]]
On 13 October, it was announced that Hunt had been released by Canberra.[{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-contracts-squad-lists-2020-signings-esan-marsters-tigers-cowboys-market-watch-scout/news-story/4189eefd9056632397ffd8122cee8557/|title=Every club's squad, new deals and market moves for 2020 season|website=Fox Sports}}]
===2020===
In early 2020, Hunt signed a contract to join Cronulla-Sutherland for the [2020 NRL season](/source/2020_NRL_season).[{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/02/18/sharks-v-bulldogs-2020-trials/|title= Cronulla v Canterbury 2020 trials|website=www.nrl.com}}]
In round 8 of the [2020 NRL season](/source/2020_NRL_season), Hunt scored his first try for Cronulla-Sutherland and his first in the top grade as Cronulla defeated the Gold Coast 40–10 at [Cbus Super Stadium](/source/Cbus_Super_Stadium).[{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-04/nrl-brisbane-lose-to-warriors-sharks-panthers-post-wins/12423034/|title=Brisbane lose to warriors sharks panthers post wins|website=www.abc.net.au}}]
In round 19 against the [Sydney Roosters](/source/Sydney_Roosters), Hunt was taken from the field during the second half of the game with a leg injury. It was later revealed Hunt had dislocated his right kneecap.[{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-19/nrl-sydney-roosters-beat-sharks-melbourne-storm-gold-coast-win/12681786/|title=Sydney Roosters defeat Sharks ahead of NRL finals, Shaun Johnson suffers serious injury|website=www.abc.net.au}}]
===2021===
Hunt played only two games for Cronulla in the [2021 NRL season](/source/2021_NRL_season) which saw the club narrowly miss the finals by finishing 9th on the table.[{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/09/03/storm-secure-minor-premiership-anxious-wait-for-sharks/|title=Papenhuyzen back to best as Storm secure minor premiership|website=www.nrl.com}}]
===2022===
Hunt played a total of 19 games for Cronulla in the [2022 NRL season](/source/2022_NRL_season) as the club finished second on the table. Hunt played in Cronulla's qualifying final loss to [North Queensland](/source/North_Queensland_Cowboys) but did not feature in Cronulla's elimination semi-final loss to [South Sydney](/source/South_Sydney_Rabbitohs).[{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/cronullas-dual-gamble-pays-off-major-flaw-exposed-in-finals-disaster-brutal-review/news-story/619a3957ee64720ef66e0e9542f375b7/|title=Young gun who can solve Sharks' big problem; masterstroke that can't be overlooked: Brutal Review|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}]
thumb|right|Hunt on international duty with Samoa in 2022
In October Hunt was named in the [Samoa squad](/source/2021_Men's_Rugby_League_World_Cup_squads) for the [2021 Rugby League World Cup](/source/2021_Rugby_League_World_Cup_%E2%80%93_Men's_tournament).[[https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rugby-league-world-cup-2021-squad-lists/ Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021]]
Hunt played for Samoa in their 2021 Rugby League World Cup final loss to Australia.[{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/australia-vs-samoa/58154/|title=Rugby League World Cup: James Tedesco stars to seal 12th triumph for Australia in 30-10 win over Samoa|website=www.skysports.com}}]
===2023===
Hunt represented New Zealand Māori all stars team as starting prop, losing against the Australian Indigenous team, 28–24.
In round 3 of the [2023 NRL season](/source/2023_NRL_season), Hunt was sent to the sin bin during Cronulla's 24–20 loss against Canberra for punching [Corey Horsburgh](/source/Corey_Horsburgh).[{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-royce-hunt-sin-binned-corey-horsburgh-punch-thrown-scrum-news-cronulla-sharks-canberra-raiders-highlights/news-story/615d23ee16d9dea596214be2b6306b13/|title=‘Called him a few mean words’: Raiders enforcer’s hilarious response after Sharks sin bin|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}]
Following the match, Hunt spoke with the media and accused Horsburgh of hiding behind other players. Hunt went on to say “As [Ricky Stuart](/source/Ricky_Stuart) would say, he's a weak-gutted dog, We'll get him next game, I have never seen a front-rower hide behind a halfback, You can't just hold me in and push me over and not expect anything. I was a bit upset about that".[{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-royce-hunt-call-corey-horsburgh-a-weak-gutted-dog-cronulla-sharks-canberra-raiders-round-3-sin-bin-striking-video/news-story/fcc19baeb568803c8c23d0eb284e6791/|title=‘He’s a weak-gutted dog’: Sharks enforcer’s shock warning, accuses Horsburgh of hiding|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}]
Hunt played a total of 20 games for Cronulla in the 2023 NRL season as Cronulla finished sixth on the table. Hunt played in the clubs 13–12 upset loss against the [Sydney Roosters](/source/Sydney_Roosters) which ended their season.[{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-09/nrl-finals-panthers-warriors-sharks-roosters-live-updates/102816232/|title=Sydney Roosters score 'wild' 13-12 NRL elimination final win over Cronulla Sharks, Penrith Panthers beat Warriors|website=www.abc.net.au}}]
===2024===
On 18 March, it was announced that Hunt would miss at least 2-4 weeks with a calf injury.[{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2024/01/01/nrl-casualty-ward-latest-injury-news-return-dates-and-details/|title=NRL Casualty Ward: Cleary, Moses sidelined; Triple blow for Sharks|website=www.nrl.com}}]
On 3 September, Hunt was granted a release from his final year of his contract to join a three-year deal with the [Wests Tigers](/source/Wests_Tigers) for the 2025 season.[{{Cite web |date=2024-09-02 |title=Royce Hunt to join Wests Tigers on three-year deal |url=https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2024/09/03/royce-hunt-to-join-wests-tigers-on-three-year-deal/ |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=Wests Tigers |language=en}}][{{Cite web |date=2024-09-02 |title=Hunt granted release from final year of contract |url=https://www.sharks.com.au/news/2024/09/03/hunt-granted-release-from-final-year-of-contract/ |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |language=en}}]
===2025===
In round 1 of the [2025 NRL season](/source/2025_NRL_season), Hunt made his club debut for the Wests Tigers against Newcastle.[{{cite web|url=https://www.totalrl.com/newcastle-knights-spoil-jarome-luais-wests-tigers-debut/|title=Newcastle Knights spoil Jarome Luai's Wests Tigers debut|website=www.totalrl.com}}]
Hunt played 16 matches for the Wests Tigers in the 2025 NRL season as the club finished 13th on the table.[{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2025-the-mole-season-review-wests-tigers-20250913-p5muql.html/|title=The Mole's season review: Late season form proved Wests Tigers 'fell apart' after Galvin 'squabble'|website=www.nine.com.au}}]
==Statistics==
===NRL===
: *denotes season competing