A brief halftime word from Queensland coach Kevin Walters was behind Ben Hunt's increased impact from hooker for in the State of Origin opener.

Ben Hunt has ambitions to force his way into the Queensland and Australian sides following Cooper Cronk's retirement from representative rugby league.

Brisbane halfback Ben Hunt says Wednesday's State of Origin debut has left him hungry to take his game to another level to replace Cooper Cronk if he retires.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters says Ben Hunt's solo NRL try for Brisbane last week convinced him that the Broncos halfback could star in State of Origin.

Maligned Brisbane halfback Ben Hunt says lessons learned from his 2015 NRL grand final gaffe will steel him for his Queensland debut.