The last time Karmichael Hunt was in Cairns, he was the feel-good story of Australian sport.
The stakes aren’t quite as high this time around, but the interest levels will be about the same as the cross-code superstar plays for the Queensland Reds jersey for the first time.
Two years on from his after-the-siren winning goal for the Gold Coast Suns at Cazalys Stadium, Hunt will be around the corner at Barlow Park on Saturday in his first Super Rugby pre-season clash with the Melbourne Rebels.
“I’ve got some pretty good memories up there,” Hunt said.
“It’ll be interesting to go back up there again and play some rugby.
“The weather’s probably not going to be too kind but it’ll make for an entertaining game whether it’s a high-scoring game or a lot of mistakes and a close result in the end. It’s going to be fun.”
Hunt has performed so well on the training paddock with the Reds since calling time on his AFL career that coach Richard Graham has installed him as vice-captain before having even played a practice match.
The 30-year-old, who had a stint with Biarritz in the French Top 14 just before joining the Suns from rugby league, is delighted with his progress but admitted that exposure to a live game situation will shine a light on how far he’s come in his transition to a third professional code.
“The only nerves I’ve got is trying to find a polling booth when I get up there to vote so I don’t get in trouble,” Hunt said, referring to Saturday’s Queensland state election.
“The way I’ve been training, I feel pretty confident going into the game.
“I haven’t played a game of rugby in a long time, so I’m looking forward to getting out there, just getting a feel for the pace of the game.
“It’s a trial match, we’ll be making some mistakes – myself included.
“There’s going to be some match fitness to gain, some awareness and in-game things that you can’t get at training.”
The Reds have named a weakened line-up for their first outing of the pre-season, with 10 players – including Hunt’s fellow marquee recruit James O’Connor – sidelined due to injury or recent surgery.
Hunt said he had battled gastro during the week, which he estimated has stripped two or three kilograms off his playing weight of 91kg – putting him at about the same weight as in his AFL days, but around 10kg lighter than when he last played union.
“Richard and the coaching staff aren’t too worried about my weight to be honest,” he said.
“They say my strength’s there, my pace is there, my fitness. As long as I can be effective, that’s all that really matters at the end of the day.”
By Vince Rugari
Jameswm
Guest
28. Checked wiki
Billy Bob
Guest
Looking forward to seeing the Reds have a crack through the outside backs.
toa
Guest
I wouldn’t be expecting too much from Hunt tonight. Speaking from an enthusiast POV IMO the Reds, as a whole will need to step up defensively, this was evidently missing from last year service. According to reports the Reds will roll out new playing structures however in any event tonight’s trail will simply be a mater of finding a mental platform to secure cohesion, & chemistry within the team structures.
maxxlord
Roar Rookie
Hunt is the real deal. Wallaby aspirations aside, if he can ignite or at least steady the Reds then he will be worth the money to the ARU. Does no good for Slipper, Simmons,Genia, Cooper etc to join the Wallabies after being in a beaten side the whole season. No matter how professional you are its hard to change those mental gears once set in a losing spiral.
44bottles
Roar Guru
Professional sport doesn't exist outside Australia.
SEAN
Guest
The Reds take on the Rebels at Barlow Park in Cairns this Saturday, 31 January, at 7:30pm AEST. Tickets are still available at www.redsrugby.com.au. Fans outside of Cairns can watch the game live at www.redsrugby.com.au. St.George Queensland Reds squad v Rebels, Cairns Forwards Curtis Browning, Sef Faagase, Saia Fainga’a, Lolo Fakaosilea, Liam Gill, Michael Gunn, James Hanson, James Horwill, Adam Korczyk, Marco Kotze, Pettowa Paraka, Beau Robinson, Jake Schatz, James Slipper (C), Sam Talakai. Backs Tom Banks, Anthony Fainga’a, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Nick Frisby, Scott Gale, Will Genia, Karmichael Hunt (VC), Sam Johnson, Samu Kerevi, Chris Kuridrani, Campbell Magnay, Duncan Paia’aua, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi.
Peter
Guest
On JOC, The journalists are sure to take more interest in JOCs 'bad boy' history than anything good he does or the team does, hopefully his statement that he knows it's his last chance shows his intentions .Seems the man with the presure and big shoes to fill is Duncan Paia'Aua - it seems he is as green as you can get in first class rugby, but at least he should be tough enough, as he played in last years NRL under 20s grand final with the Broncos.. I have to admit I have not yet realised that Gregory Holmes is the best scrummaging tighthead in Australia. It seems there are very few contenders for that title - as far as I can tell at the moment, it seems to be Kepu, then behind him Tetera Faulkner. Is that Pettowa Paraka dude who was dynamite for Brisbane City in the NRC, I say, is he a tight head or loose?
Cam Stokes
Roar Pro
I'm really excited for the Reds this year, despite being written of by most southerners already. I'm hoping Chris F-Sautia can string a whole season together, and we can really see how good he can be. A backline with him and Kerevi busting tackles with finishers like JOC and KH around them could be really dangerous. Adam Thompson is just what we have been missing since Higgers left, and if he is even half as good as he was when he left for Japan, he will be a great buy. This year is also likely to be the swansong for the big 3, so I'm hoping they give it one good last crack before heading overseas. Really need someone to step up as the obvious replacement for Horwill too, can't keep relying on big Ed O'Donohue forever! And I know he's only young, but I'm really looking forward to seeing if Campbell Magnay gets much of an opportunity.
Comrade Bear
Roar Rookie
I don't know what to expect from the Reds this year. I'm usually optimistic, but starting to doubt as they have already been written off by pretty much everyone. I guess in the end I'm hoping they play to their potential and offer Cheika a lot more selection headaches then they did in 2014. The pack seems pretty settled barring injury - hoping Holmes regains his good form after coming back from injury. The back row has me most curious - will there be a first choice 6,7,8 or will it change week to week? Gill showed a fair bit of mongrel late in the NRC - hoping he continues on with that. The backs look strong on paper - I think this is where it will be do or die for Richard Graham. He has the players he wants - lets hope they click. After the return game against the Brumbies in round 5 we will know either way... Go you Reds!
Peter
Guest
Yes, my brother is always complaining about the supposition that if someone has made it in the NRL, he is bound to be a star in union. In Hunts case, he is a bit different because of his strong union background at Churchie, Hopefully Gill will once again play true to his ability. I think Quirk is most likely to be shunted out by the presence of Adam, Thomson, as the latter plays the role of a tall running backrower they tried to give EQ, with very limited success. I only have my eyes on 2015 and hope Horwill can produce his best form in his last year, and the tight five can shake themselves up and play every game like they did against the Highlanders last year..GOO YOU REDS!!
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
" but he played big… He ran it like he was 105 kilos .K can hit hard, run hard and run good lines…. He can ball play also,…" Heck yes, apart from aerial skills, he is a better player than Izzy. Broncos came apart when K left. I hope to see him move into 10 or 12, for all the reasons you mention, Ken.
Ken
Guest
The thing about Hunt is he played NRL at 17 !!!!!!! At 90 kilos he was not big, but he played big... He ran it like he was 105 kilos .K can hit hard, run hard and run good lines.... He can ball play also,.... at 10 12 13 15 i dont care.... He`ll go good IMO... ...
Comrade Bear
Roar Rookie
Whilst we are being pedantic: "The 30-year-old, who had a stint with Biarritz in the French Top 14 just before joining the Suns ...in his transition to a third professional code." Wouldn't that mean that AFL was his third professional code with Rugby his second?
Lenny
Guest
He`s 27 not 30 isn`t he ??