Update: Karmichael Hunt has been stood down from his training and playing commitments effective immediately and indefinitely after news broke that he was charged with drug possession on Saturday.
Rugby Australia statement 31/12/2017
Queensland Rugby Union, Rugby Australia and Karmichael Hunt have today agreed that it is in the best interests of all parties that Karmichael is stood down immediately from any team-related Rugby activities, including training and playing commitments.The parties are awaiting information from the Queensland Police pertaining to the circumstances of the recent allegations before any next steps or return to Rugby activities will be contemplated.
Karmichael Hunt is cooperating fully with the Rugby Australia Integrity Unit and Queensland Rugby Union investigation and, given that this is an ongoing police matter, there will be no further comment from the parties.
Previous: Queensland Reds and Wallabies player Karmichael Hunt has been arrested in Brisbane and charged with drug possession.
Queensland police confirmed on Saturday morning that two men had been arrested in Fortitude Valley. Hunt was the only player involved in the incident.
“An incident involving Karmichael Hunt occurred which resulted in his arrest,” said Hunt’s lawyer, Adam Magill.
“At this stage no further instructions have been taken.
“There were two males involved and there has been a subsequent charge of possession. They have been charged conjointly.”
Hunt has been told to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on January 29.
He has previously been fined after pleading guilty to four charges of cocaine possession in 2015.
Rugby Australia released a brief statement regarding the incident on Saturday afternoon.
Rugby Australia statement 30/12/2017
Rugby Australia has today been made aware of an incident involving Wallabies and Queensland Reds back Karmichael Hunt in Brisbane overnight. It is understood Hunt was arrested and has subsequently been released by Queensland Police.Rugby Australia takes all matters relating to the off-field behaviour of its players seriously and has commenced an investigation into the incident in conjunction with the Queensland Rugby Union.
No further comment will be made at this time.
Perry Bridge
Guest
He'd been technically released by the Suns at that time - he was no longer 'in their care' but his contract may still have had time to run unless he'd been paid out a month or so early? Basically he was out the door - had had his 'exit meeting' and wasn't coming back - so he wasn't really 'with the Suns' at the time. I make that clarification because for all we know he may have been clean and a professional whilst at the Suns - he certainly will have needed to try everything positive within his power to get his fitness/endurance up but alas he couldn't.
Drongo
Guest
Like I said, some (looks like it’s just a few in rich areas according to your study) public schools are very good. Most are not with very unhappy students and parents. I am very happy with my choice and sacrifice for my children. And I don’t want to live in a ‘good suburb’. 1500 acres is my minimum ‘yard’ thanks. We have our own ‘suburb’. And poor old Chappy, no friends at Churchie, no friends now.
ChrisG
Roar Rookie
Well said Muzzo. When over 20 league players test positive after mad monday celebrations, yet less than that number (18 to be exact) are on the UK banned list, hypocrisy is certainly one of the words that comes to mind.
ChrisG
Roar Rookie
Nerval. The current list of banned Rugby Union players in the UK is 18. All of these are amateurs. Last year there were 4 positive tests from over 1000 tests carried out. In the UK there are more than 2.2 million registered players. I would suggest that tbey could probably do a lot more testing before anyone wou,d be comfortable with the numbers, however 18 out of 2.2 million doesn't suggest a huge problem. However in the same list of banned athletes there are 12 Rugby League players. Considering that worldwide League has 600,000 registered players, and that over 20 NRL players tested positive for drugs following mad monday celebrations in 2016, then obviously League has a bigger problem than Union with drug use.
ClassAct
Guest
So you agree that a large chunk of anti social behaviour in Australian Union and League stems from kiwis moving over, bringing their decayed morals and poor discipline with them?
piru
Roar Rookie
A timeless story endlessly told You'd find the same for a large chunk of Aussie rugby and league players
ClassAct
Guest
Hey Piru, What does Quade Cooper, Karmichael Hunt and have in common ? They are all Kiwis who moved over to Australia during their school years... a bit too late you’d have to think (though hindsight is a wonderful thing) Willie Ripia also came over with ambitions of representing the Wallabies
ClassAct
Guest
Cut him some slack Concerned Supporter He is a drug addict who needs his regular fix. So what if he has a wife and child depending on him?
Muzzo
Guest
Totally agree Jacko, but all nerval, can continue to do, is completely ignore the fact how bad the PED issue is, in league, within Australia. A little hypocritical, don't you think?
ClassAct
Guest
The main difference between private and public school students is the sheer volume of dirt under the fingernails of those in the public system. Other differences include excellence, class and career prospects I remember playing a tournament against public school students who made snipes about our ‘spiffy’ jerseys and pants. My response was “well at least my Dad isn’t a lowly Mister”
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Absolutely EJ. Had an interesting conversation late last year with a mate who is related by marriage to a current All Black. What he has seen him get away with and is covered up by clubs, press and official agencies was mind boggling.
chappy
Guest
@Drongo You pay $45,000 after-tax income because you have a big EGO and want to hang with all the other try-hards that go to Grammer, BBC or Churchie. I know first hand what a lot of the parents were like from when I was at Churchie. It sounds like its all about you how special it makes you feel. So pull the other one it's got bells on it Drongo!
Train Without A Station
Guest
Haha yes. Perhaps just his contract then?
nerval
Guest
True, TWAS, but "terminated" is a rather severe choice of word too, isn't it?
piru
Roar Rookie
Yeah you should probably have a read he was charged $7500 by the ARU and the charges 'were not pursued'. pretty clear they told the ARU to get their boy under control and then made the charges go away. Defamation? lol welcome to the internet
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Nope a plea barging would involve a plea in this instance the charges were dropped. And that's some pretty brave moderating going on. Defamation would be unlikely but interesting.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
At midnight in the valley after a big night out (according to some reports) reason and logic aren't usually in strong supply.
piru
Roar Rookie
Stand corrected, my recollection was a plea bargain was reached Seems that was what occurred in all but name reading this article
Dave_S
Guest
I suspect he means Quade Cooper. But in fact the charges were dropped, so “convicted” is not accurate. http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/cooper-running-free-after-burglary-charges-are-dropped-20100716-10e51.html
WQ
Guest
Well said Harry.