Karmichael Hunt continues to mount a compelling case for Wallabies selection after surviving an injury scare in Queensland’s heartbreaking 29-26 loss to the NSW Waratahs.
Hunt crossed for a try and played a hand in another as he dominated his match-up with incumbent Test fullback Israel Folau before hobbling off the field in the dying moments.
Initial fears were that he had suffered a serious injury but Reds coach Nick Stiles said he’d copped a simple knock to the knee.
“It was a fair whack and I think he was a little bit stressed about it when it first happened,” Stiles said.
“He said it feels really good so we won’t even get a scan.”
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika – an unabashed Hunt fan – would be relieved at the news.
Folau has been down on the form that made him one of the most damaging ball runners in the game, while Hunt is getting better and better and firming for 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.
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.
“He played really well, again carried the ball strongly, gives us real confidence in the team and looks dangerous whenever he gets it,” Stiles said.
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 joined forces 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.
Fionn
Guest
I wouldn't mind having him at 10 just because I feel like our backline has enough strong players in it that we don't actually need these hot and cold X-Factor players in Quade, Beale, etc. And if we do we only need one (absolute max). Guys like Kerevi, Kuridrani, Speight, DHP, Hunt and Hodge are all capable of scoring tries, and don't have the catastrophic downsides of a Beale. We have no problem scoring tries, we have problems defending, and Hodge can defend very well.
Rhys Bosley
Guest
True dat, I'm glad someone else sees it. Hodge dis well at ten against the Force last year and should be given more of a run there.
Kaizer
Roar Rookie
Neither was Larkham, played the entire '98 S12 season at 15 and thrown into 10 spot v England and voilà the rest is history. Pocock on sabbatical from all rugby?
piru
Roar Rookie
DHP wouldn’t make my 23 right now. Folau, Hodge, Speight and Naivalu ahead. Folau isn't ahead of anyone, he's easily the worst 15 in the Australian sides. You could make an argument for Hodge, but aren't the other two wingers?
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Hodge is not a 10. Pocock is not in Australia.
Kaizer
Roar Rookie
15.Hunt 14.Folau 13.Kuridrani 12.Kerevi 11.Speight 10.Hodge 9.Genia 8.Higginbotham 7.Pocock 6.Fardy 5.Arnold 4.Cole 3.Sio 2.Hanson 1.Kepu 16.Latu 17.Alaalatoa 18.Robertson 19.Carter 20.McMahon 21.Phipps 22.DHP 23.Beale
Fionn
Guest
Cross our fingers, right mate! I've been re-watching all of the RC matches from last year for an article I'm researching and also, it means I avoid uni work for a time. I'd forgotten just how great he was. He's excellent, best Wallaby back for sure.
Boonzie
Guest
Folau wouldn't make my 23 at the moment... speight is finally finding some form. I really think it's time to start picking players in the spots they play week in week out and stop fiddling.
Selector
Guest
Hope so Fionn. I just wasn't counting on it at the moment.
Jameswm
Guest
Hodge 23. Speight 11.
Jameswm
Guest
Are you kidding? Hunt is a much better runner, passer and defender. You want him on the field all game. He looks a class above. DHP wouldn't make my 23 right now. Folau, Hodge, Speight and Naivalu ahead.
Cuw
Guest
looks like |Folau is reading and listening to press - gone is his running kicks back game and in its place a passing game , which does not help the team !!!! he was at his best a threatening runner with ball , which is what he does most effectively ( other than catching high bombs). cant imagine why he has changed suddenly. its funny - coz he was plying like a center from full back ; while he did not do this when he was actually the center :)
Rugnut
Guest
Hunt 15 Folau 14 Quade reserve Frisby finding another sport
ethan
Guest
Hunt 12, DHP 15.
Boonzie
Guest
Hunts playing better than Folau at the moment... I'd have dhp at fullback though. Hunt to me is a great option off the bench
Fionn
Guest
Genia will be back, surely.
Selector
Guest
Spot on. Folau and Speight on the Sting. Hunt at Fb. Now someone just needs to put thier hand up at Halfback..... No.... Put your hand down Phibbs.
riddler
Guest
congrats tahs and chook.. better team won on the day.. we will get u next year!!