Rugby League: 'Stop high shots on my boy' says Hunt's mum

SYDNEY - It's hardly going to enhance Karmichael Hunt's tough-guy image but his mum has also had enough of the dubious treatment meted out by opponents of the New Zealand-born NRL rookie.

Tera Hunt has backed Brisbane Broncos skipper Gorden Tallis by saying he has been deliberately targeted for high shots in his maiden season.

She admitted she worried for the welfare of the 17-year-old former Aucklander on the field as the rising star was enduring a tough initiation.

"He has copped a few cheap shots and as a mum you worry about things like that. Sometimes when I watch the replays of the away games and he gets hurt in a tackle, I'm thankful I'm not there," she said.

While Hunt is not about to moan publicly, the Broncos' firebrand captain Tallis said the fullback was being "bashed every week" - yet the high shots have led to only one suspension.

St George Illawarra's David Holwell was suspended for three games after hitting Hunt high on July 8. Tallis has called on the NRL to provide protection for Hunt, who has scored 13 tries in 17 matches.

"There are blokes hitting him high every weekend. He's getting bashed and the game's officials have to protect him."

Mrs Hunt said she did not want her son to receive any preferential treatment but added: "We don't expect him to be targeted either ... "

NRL referees boss Robert Finch has urged referees to be more vigilant on tackles when fullbacks or wings are running the ball back.

Finch said that up to round 17 there had been 43 per cent more penalties for high shots than in the same period last year.

- NZPA