Before this year, Hunt spent his previous five seasons in first grade switching between the halves and hooker. Despite being cemented as the Broncos long-term No.7, Hunt's ability to play both roles could see him jag a spot on the Kangaroos bench.

With Daly Cherry-Evans set to replace Johnathan Thurston in the starting side, Hunt is up against Sydney Roosters duo Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney for a place in the extended squad. Should he make it, he'll battle Robbie Farah for a bench spot.

Hunt will get a chance to impress in his first senior representative jersey when he plays for the Prime Minister's XIII against PNG on Sunday.

He joined the rest of the squad in Cairns on Thursday before they fly out to PNG on Friday.

"I had a little think about [Test selection] when I got told [Thurston] pulled out," Hunt said. "To get picked in the Four Nations squad would be a dream come true.

"I would have told [anyone who said I would be in the Test squad at the start of the season] that they are a bit of an idiot and that it was never going to happen. The season went on and I got an opportunity to go up to the Queensland camp and things started to feel a bit real and I cemented myself in the competition.

"Having a couple of years playing in that dummy-half role has given me a leg up on some boys in trying to get that utility position. I'm probably going to be thankful for those couple of years."

Hunt wasn't always appreciative of the utility tag. Desperate to lock down a regular spot, it only happened when axed Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin told him heading into this year the halfback spot was his to lose.

Even Hunt has been taken aback by his rise, which saw him drafted into the Maroons squad as a shadow player.

"I have surprised myself a little bit," Hunt said. "I always believed I could play halfback in the NRL but how good or to what extent I wasn't too sure. To get picked in the Queensland squad, and then in this, was a really big surprise. I eliminated a few things [from my diet]. I wasn't where I should have been. I'm doing a lot less drinking and cut back on my social life to concentrate more on training."

Hunt – who re-signed with the Broncos until the end of 2017 – will have a taste of his future when he plays alongside Brisbane recruit Anthony Milford for the first time on Sunday. New Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has already signalled his intentions to partner them as his first-choice halves next year.

"I'm really excited to play with him," Hunt said. "To play this game with him is a little leg up into pre-season. I met him once in the Origin camp. He is quiet. I know he is excited about starting pre-season for the Broncos. We had a little chat and he asked if I like to play first receiver."