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Karmichael Hunt is free to play for the Queensland Reds effective immediately after Rugby Australia settled on his punishment on Monday.
Hunt was given a four-match ban but this was backdated to the start of the Super Rugby season given Hunt has been serving a voluntary stand-down during this time.
Given that the Reds have already played four matches, Hunt’s ban is therefore considered already served, freeing him up to return to the field.
He has however been handed a $10,000 fine by Rugby Australia and will be placed on a illicit drug target testing program for 12 months, and possibly take part in drug treatment and education programs.
The news is another boost for Reds coach Brad Thorne who will now have to work out the best way to integrate Hunt back into a team that is in winning form.
“We take all matters of off-field behaviour seriously and have conducted a thorough investigation into the events surrounding Karmichael Hunt’s arrest in December, and the subsequent Court proceedings,” said Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle.
“In arriving at today’s outcome, we’ve considered the judgement of the Court and all the evidence we had available relating to Karmichael’s arrest, as well as considering the damage that the very public nature of his arrest and the subsequent speculation has inflicted on the game.
“The penalty handed down to Karmichael today also takes into account a previous disciplinary matter for which he was fined and suspended in 2015.”