Queensland Reds captain James Slipper says his team is “comfortable” with the sanctions handed down to Karmichael Hunt and will welcome back the cocaine-tainted star when he returns from suspension.
Slipper said he felt the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) and Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) had taken the correct course of action in sticking with Hunt, who was not yet contracted to the Reds at the time of his offences.
Code-hopper Hunt was given a back-dated six-week ban and fined $30,000 by the ARU and QRU after he pleaded to four counts of cocaine possession in the Southport Magistrates Court where he copped a $2500 and escaped a conviction.
The 28-year-old will be eligible to return to Super Rugby with the Reds on April 3 against the Melbourne Rebels, but has also been stripped of the vice-captaincy.
“I am comfortable,” said Slipper on Friday, the eve of the big clash with traditional rivals NSW Waratahs.
“For now moving forward, part of the process has been done, he’s been given his sentence, he misses six weeks and we feel like that is enough.
“We’ve always supported Karmichael, we always wanted to make sure his welfare was looked after.
“He’s obviously made poor choices and to his credit he’s put his hand up, admitted it and copped everything.
“As a playing group we just want to see him back, fit and healthy and with his mind on the game.”
The Reds have confirmed Hunt will not be replaced as vice-captain.
He was appointed to the role before having even played a Super Rugby game for the Reds, such was his influence on the squad and the coaching staff through the pre-season.
Slipper said there were other players he could lean on for leadership support.
“Losing Karmichael as a vice-captain obviously isn’t ideal, but these are the things that have to be done that’s the pathway we’ve decided to go down,” he said.
“The case has been dealt with now in the court, he’s been served his punishment and for Karmichael, he’s happy that it’s been pushed on now out of his hands.
“That’s probably the best thing I like about the situation – it’s clear cut, he knows what he has to do, we all know what’s happening.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
The Western Force hope an influx of experienced players combined with some relaxing sleep-ins will help them snare an away win for the first…
Joey Manu insists an All Blacks cap remains a distant goal, even if his impending switch to the 15-player game has experts excited about…
Barely used throughout Super Rugby, Junior Wallabies skipper Teddy Wilson has the chance to push for Olympics selection after being named in John Manenti’s…
After this weekend there will be five more rounds of Super Rugby Pacific and then the finals. So, let's reflect on the five biggest…
The short weeks are done and dusted, with six more games in the regular season before we head into finals. The Crowd extended their…
The Melbourne Rebels may have traded while insolvent for more than five years, giving rise to potential breach of director duty claims for the…
