Karmichael Hunt’s Wallabies hopes may be dashed after he hobbled off in the dying minutes of Queensland’s 29-26 loss to the NSW Waratahs on Saturday.
Hunt crossed for a try and played a hand in another as he dominated his match-up with incumbent Test fullback Israel Folau before gingerly moving to the sideline in the 80th minute after a collision.
Folau has been down on the form that made him one of the most damaging ball runners in the game, while Hunt gets better and better.
But the injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for the former AFL and NRL star, who was firming to play a key role in Australia’s June Test campaign.
The Wallabies take on Fiji in Melbourne on June 10, before games against Scotland in Sydney and Italy at Suncorp Stadium.
The Reds, along with Wallabies coach Michael Cheika – an unabashed Hunt fan – will be sweating on the extent of the injury.
With 2016 Wallabies rookie of the year Dane Haylett-Petty in doubt with a torn hamstring, there is a strong case to move Folau back to the wing or out of the starting side entirely to make room for the in-form Hunt.
Looming up in support after a Scott Higginbotham break in the 12th minute on Saturday, Hunt scored for the second Super Rugby game in a row.
His combination with flyhalf Quade Cooper grows with each game and the two combined to put boom lock Lukhan Tui over in the 23rd minute.
Hunt racked up 84 metres with a number of damaging runs and was ferocious in defence.
Folau remains the puzzle in the Wallabies backline.
The 52-Test superstar has only shown glimpses of the brilliance that won him consecutive John Eales Medals as the best Wallaby in 2014 and 2015.
With no quality ball coming his way against the Reds he struggled to get himself involved.
Kaizer
Roar Rookie
5 NZ franchise coaches have runs under their belts. 5 OZ franchise coaches, this is their first gig and its a big jump from nowhere to face of the team.
Cynical Play
Guest
Not one comment made by Stiles, at the game or after at various press meetings, suggest he and the team accept any responsibility for the loss. He employs the classic whinge tactic of repeatedly blaming the ref, and encouraging the press to blame the ref. It says alot about Stiles and his approach, his anger problem, and this is the guy who publicly hung out his own players out during a press conference after the Hurricanes loss. The relentless ref blaming is a real character insight for Stiles. What a dud he is proving to be.
adriatiq
Roar Rookie
"The moment they took rugby off free to air in this country it began it’s demise" Nobody seems to talk about it but it's clearly the root rot at the base of the tree. The only kids that watch it are kids watching Mum and dads Foxtel (working class kids need not apply) and it clearly signals that this is a second tier sport. Hell, even the occasional games on Channel One aren't regionally tailored for programming.
imhere3
Guest
Must agree the reds were dominating then the ref stepped in and changed the outcome At one point one of the commentators stated the reason Folau had not released the ball was that it was instantaneous it was a text book tackle it was clear and obvious yet not called. Yes the reds committed some obvious penalties but when the waratahs did they were missed. The only person who would call this fair would be a waratahs supporter. If you are fined for criticism of a referee then the referees adviser must come out and explain some of these obvious non-penalties
X rugger
Guest
I was born in NZ and immigrated to Queensland at 10 years old. Played rugby for nearly 20 years (including finals and openers for the reds at ballymore which was always magical) and have been a die hard fan in the past recording every game. Could not find a single person who would agree to come to the game with me last night even if I bought them a ticket. I finally managed to convince a girl to come watch it with me at a pub provided I pay for all drinks (cancelled my foxtel in the off season because having it just for rugby was a rip off). I was the only person in the pub making any noise for the game which was on a little screen in the corner. The reds are a shambles and despite the ref I could not help but think they should have easily put that away. There was individual brilliance but they are a mess. With the rosters both of these teams have it is no excuse to put out the type of rugby they have this season (last night was a bit of an improvement). Rugby has totally lost me. It's a shame because I was just in galway for st paddys day and watched the ire vs eng game in a pub for a recovery session. It truly is an international game and the place was going off everyone was up on the tables screaming (as was I). One of the best experiences I've ever had watching rugby. The ineptitude of the administrators and the contempt for building strong grass roots support in this country is deplorable. The sydney elite have their heads up their asses or in the sand or both. The moment they took rugby off free to air in this country it began it's demise. I was talking to an english immigrant at work who said he loves rugby but the cost to put his kids in the local club in brisbane was insane and he is putting them in AFL instead. If only super league had taken off and rugby had stayed on free to air there might have been a reversal of the two codes fate over the last 15 or so years. They have officially lost me and ruined the game I used to love. Rugby in Australia is dead.
Rhys Bosley
Guest
The ref: -Penalised Hunt for hands in a ruck that did not exist. - Failed to yellow Foley for a cynical knock down. -Let the Tahs play offside all night. -Allowed several forward passes to go unpenalised. -Penalised Kerevi for falling on a player as he tacked him. -Awarded a Tahs try when nobody could see the grounding. -Awarded a try off a crooked lineout throw. You can play the stoic sportsman if you like but I know rotten refereeing when I see it and that has to be one of the worst performances I have ever by a ref, and am calling it as such.
MH01
Guest
I blame the ref for not getting Izzy into the game!
Rooster
Guest
Come on Riddler, be fair. 16-4 penalty count? I've been around rugby my whole life and I have never seen such blatant bias. Apparently the Tahs were positively angelic and barely put a foot wrong all night in a supposedly spiteful encounter... and were still lucky to win by 3. Tahs average 9 penalties a game this year and the Reds 10 - not much in it, except for tonight where the Tahs can polish those halos and the hiding the ref gave the Reds - who did NOT play dirty - blows their average right out. You must surely be a Tahs fan, but when sight returns to your other eye, even you must see this is the professional era where everybody is paid and everybody should be accountable. Yes, the Reds missed a kick - that's accountability - yet apparently fully-paid professional referees are held up as gentleman-amateurs and are beyond accountability. Doesn't make any sense to me.
riddler
Guest
usual blame the ref stuff.. watched kerevi after game..full credit to the lad.. said the ref did well.. the ref it wasn't the one dropping the ball or missing the tackles.. good teams learn to take the ref out of the game.. or at least reduce the effect.. the ref didn't miss the kick from in front of goal.
Brumby bill
Guest
Agree, the penalty when Tahs drew even, Hooper was the tackler but didn't release and the Reds got pinged. And the knock on by Phipps just before that, and the infringing in the air in the line outs by Mumm, and the in air challenge that was legit that went against the Reds......there were many many Refs errors that didn't fall the Reds way.
Brumby bill
Guest
Agree, the penalty when Tahs drew even, Hooper was the tackler but didn't release and the Reds got pinged. And the knock on by Phipps just before that, and the infringing in the air in the line outs by Mumm, and the in air challenge that was legit that went against the Reds......there were many many Refs errors that didn't fall the Reds way.
Rt
Guest
I was there as well and had the refs ears on. Can't say he made many mistakes but the crowd certainly got wound up. Hunt was one of the best on ground all night.
Happyman
Guest
Was at the game referee was the best money can buy. A complete disgrace.