Karmichael Hunt has not had the impact on rugby union that Israel Folau has, but next month he might finally get his chance to join his fellow double code-hopper on the Test stage for the Wallabies.
Like Folau, Hunt was a standout rugby league international who became a marquee capture for the Australian Football League before going on to make another switch to the 15-man game, in his case in 2014.
To say that Hunt’s transition to the Queensland Reds was not smooth is something of an understatement, however, delayed as it was by his conviction for cocaine possession.
When he finally did get on the pitch, less than stellar performances in a struggling team meant it was a surprise to no one that he missed out on joining Folau in the Wallabies squad for last year’s World Cup.
However, Australia coach Michael Cheika has always been a fan, and on Thursday the New Zealand-born 29-year-old Hunt was named in the 39-man training squad for June’s three-Test series against England.
“Everything’s happened the way it should have. It’s as simple as that,” Hunt said in Brisbane. “As much as everyone that missed out on a World Cup last year would have loved to be involved, it’s safe to say I wasn’t ready.”
Solid rather than sensational performances at fullback for a Reds side still trying to pull themselves out of a slump have followed this season.
Hunt has shown enough, though, to indicate to Cheika that he might be of value to the Wallabies.
In related news, South Africa’s former World Cup winning captain John Smit yesterday announced that he would step down as chief executive of the Sharks Super Rugby franchise at the end of the season.
“This decision to resign was not an easy one and it is based primarily on me wanting to focus more of my time on my young family,” Smit said in a statement posted on the team’s Web site.
“I look forward both to the next challenge in my career and to remaining a frequent visitor to Kings Park, my home from home since I was 18 years old,” he added.
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