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.”
Bfc
Guest
At least the players were well advised enough to avoid public comments...no one was naive enough to 'take sides'...unlike the "textgate" scandal. Everything from the top down in the "textgate" affair stank...and the smell lingers...
Combesy
Roar Guru
Right, let me follow you logic. I want to kill someone, should I a.) kill them and then turn myself in, before the police find out or b.) not kill them and therefore I don't need to turn myself in? He made the choices in his private time, karmichael like many others would have thought nothing would have come of it. When something does come of it - then you can judge a person on how they deal with it. Deny it, pay a high price barrister and legal team and wear the court down to the point of giving in to a lesser sentence or Man up, admit you've done the wrong thing. Cop your punishment, attend rehab and attempt to positively change your life?
Babababoon
Roar Rookie
“He’s obviously made poor choices and to his credit he’s put his hand up, admitted it and copped everything." Did he turn himself in at a police station? I missed that part of the news.I am pretty sure he got caught... He's been stripped of a vice captaincy that he never had any reason to be holding. What are the bosses of the Reds thinking?
Sean Turner
Roar Guru
Form issues on the other hand...
grapeseed
Guest
On a positive note, he shouldn't have any problems with wrist injuries later in the year.
QldFan
Guest
So, just a tap on the wrist, not even a smack