Wallabies playmaker Bernard Foley has hailed code-hopping Karmichael Hunt as ready-made for Test rugby and a vital commodity in Michael Cheika’s ever-moving backline.
Asked to wear Australia’s No.12 jumper just days before his international debut, Hunt shone in the Wallabies’ 37-12 win over Fiji last weekend despite playing the position for the first time all season.
Foley said he loved having the former Queensland State of Origin and rugby league Test star outside him.
“He’s ready made for Test-match football. He loves the collisions, loves the physical aspect of it and just loves working hard and we saw that last Saturday afternoon,” Foley told AAP.
“He was able to fit in seamlessly and also probably transition between first and second ball-playing roles. Nothing seemed too tough for him, or bothered him. He was comfortable in both positions there.
“So he’s a great teammate to have because he likes to rip in.”
But it wasn’t just Hunt’s toughness and ball-playing that impressed – and aided – Foley.
“His communication is a real strength of his,” the No.10 said.
“His open dialogue and chat throughout the game, before the game is something pretty handy.
“He’s an experienced player and he’s experienced in all these big games, but being able to have a good chat with him throughout the game, before the game, was something that really helped probably both of us.”
In reality, Hunt is merely warming the seat for midfield marvel Kurtley Beale, who is almost certain to reclaim the No.12 jumper for the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup series after enjoying a break after his season in England.
Hunt isn’t even guaranteed another start this Saturday against Scotland, with Reece Hodge, a Wallabies regular in 2016, in line for a return.
“It’s giving guys an opportunity to put their hand up,” Foley said.
“A guy like Karmichael did well in that 12 position. He put his hand up and was interchangeable.
“From that first, second ball player, he was able to get in and defend really well as well, and his workrate around the field was exceptional.
“So the more players we have putting their hands up and being able to play different positions too is something that’s going to be really crucial for this side going forward.
“As we’ve seen with Cheika sides, he wants guys who can play a number of positions in a backline rather than whatever position is on their back.”
Marto
Guest
Other Planks of that era were Ian Jones and Martin Johnson
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Yep Beale was one of our few penetrating backs at the RWC.
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Yes that's interesting Peter, Cheika is directly quoted for several paras except on the "carrot" point. Looks like the journo added 1+2 and came up with 12 ?
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
"if his fit and doing the right things at training and around the team then he’s in my best 23 and the whole 23 is getting game time" Yeah I could imagine that happening and I don't think anyone else would have a problem with it.
Jemain Okinga
Roar Rookie
Hi PK, I thought Special k would make a perfect OC I thought about what Aussie backline I would like to see as a neutral so I came up with this 9 Genia, 10 Foley, 11 folau 12 Kerevi 13 Hunt 14 Hodge 15 Beale I would play Folau on the right wing to open up his right foot step. Also if Kerevi continues to develop his kicking game there is no reason he couldn't be the worlds premier IC imo. Lastly i recon Hunts defence and organisation skills could unsettle a lot of attacking structures in rugby, plus if he still possesses his Kamakazi running style he had in his league days him and Kerevi could cause carnage in world rugby imo. Some of my choices maybe strange but that was the strongest backline I could think of imho. Hope your team goes well this weekend PK.
In brief
Guest
Eales was more athletic then the plank Peter Fitz but is not one of the greats, just ahead of his time.
Rugnut
Guest
Who said Eales wasn't versatile???
MitchO
Guest
I thought Beale had huge impact when he came on last world cup. Really got some zing going on. If he can do that again then he's in my 23 somewhere. I like DHP but I believe that Beale has more talent so if DHP gets the chop or gets subbed I am comfortable with that.- How did NSW make it work with Foley and Beale in the middle? And would it work if you step that up to Test Rugby? I believe in having a solid defender in at 12. It puts a pillar of strength in the midfield. It also frees Hooper up to do something else. I also like Beale to have some space around him. so if they want to start him they can consider the permutations with he and Folau at wing and full back. End of last season I was really liking Naivalu on the wing for his attack and defense. Speight is doing okay and is having a good season but Naivalu was looking the goods. One of those strike wingers should be on the paddock with the proviso that they must be able to catch.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Beale is not rubbish. Nor is he being brought back per sae, he has rejoined aust rugby, he has signed for the tahs (the probable source of your emotional response). It is not as if he is being brought in based on the giteau law which genia was (since he hasn't signed with an aussie team yet).
PeterK
Roar Guru
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby/kurtley-beale-to-leave-wasps-and-return-to-australia-to-boost-world-chup-selection-chances/news-story/a2ab02c040c7d42c3e98b1d47d7b52e2 journo Payten states Wallabies coach Michael Cheika revealed he’d dangled a tempting carrot in front of Beale: a probable starting No.12 jersey for Australia. Note there is no quote where cheika actually says that
MitchO
Guest
I would have promised Beale a spot in the squad and so would all of you guys. Because he is one of Australia's best 40 rugby players without question. I doubt he was promised a spot in the 23 although I 'd be comfortable telling Beale that if his fit and doing the right things at training and around the team then he's in my best 23 and the whole 23 is getting game time. Hunt needs to stay at 12. I reckon Cheika would have given him a run at 12 last year but Hunt was injured so much of it at the wrong times and he missed his chance. Toomua was next in line after Giteau in Cheika's own mind and we know he doesn't change his mind easily. Cheika will not want Foley and Beale being his midfield either. At least not at the start of a game.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
My emotional response is that Beal is rubbish and shouldn't be brought back. The reality is that I don't have a clue about his form or performances at the Wasps and that I should keep an open mind. If history is anything to go by he has always been a bit weak in defense and having 2 players like that in the 10/12 channel is going to end badly. Add Folau's defensive record and the north-south channel, on paper anyway, will be an expressway for the Kiwi inside backs. The reality is that TK, DHP and Hooper would end up there doing the defending. I think Hunt showed us what "us fans" wanted to see - a Hard man in at 12 stopping the bad guys getting through. Other than a few hand-offs and passes I don't remember him doing much "Play making" which are the desirable skill sets that Beale has and would justify his selection. We would need someone with the physicality of Hodge or Hunt at 10 but with magic hands of Foley or Cooper. Jack Debracszeni could be a candidate but he is a bit slow in passing and can be a butterfingers at times - and still on the injury list. I think Hunt should stay at 12 which puts Beal in direct competition with DHP and Folau for a Wing/Fullback position. Or maybe even 10.... if I want to start a controversy. He has also had a busted hamstring which should make any selector balk. Let's wait and see what the Cheika mystery wheel of selection fortune spins up.
Vic rugby
Guest
????
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Dave, I like your observations on "Player Speak". Most of the time it is just cliches or statements manicured censored and stifled by team management. This one seems like it was from the heart which gives it much more brevity than the usual waffle.
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Rugnut, they were just examples, I'm in no position to judge the relative merits of Eales and McCaw, except to say they were nothing compared to the great Greg Martin ?
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Wouldn't that be a dumb move for a coach? If he were to change his mind - say because someone like Hunt is suddenly going gang busters in Beale's promised position and Beale's attitude is poor, for eg - and so Cheika doesn't pick Beale, then sure as heck Beale would start grumbling aloud about the coach not delivering on a promise (I sure would) and then Cheika's credibility with the other players is pretty much shot. Just seems unlikely to me. Anyway time will tell.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Nah, we don't mate. It could all be chatter, but on the other hand i wouldn't be surprised if a promise was made in order to ensure Beale's early return.
Jack
Guest
Eales wasn't versatile? lol, He kicked conversions from the sideline ffs. Horan, Eales and George Smith all better than Mccaw
Xiedazhou
Guest
In comparison to Eales, McCaw was nobody.......I never did see McCaw kick the winning points in a game either.
Adsa
Guest
Hodge delivered a pretty good pass to help set up the last try against Fiji on Saturday.