Friday, 15 February 2019:

KARMICHAEL HUNT of the Wallabies runs with the ball during the International Test match at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia.

NSW Waratahs recruit Karmichael Hunt says he's as ready as he'll ever be following a whirlwind preparation for his return to Super Rugby against benchmark side the Hurricanes in Sydney on Saturday.

The Wallabies back will line up alongside fellow veteran recruit Adam Ashley-Cooper in the centres, just a few weeks after moving from Queensland where he didn't play a Super game last season.

Hunt played Six Tests for the Wallabies in 2017 but the former rugby league and AFL player had his union career stalled by drugs-related incidents.

He was on the outer with Reds coach Brad Thorn last year but handed a lifeline by the Tahs last month.

Hunt has played once at Brookvale Oval, the venue for Saturday's game, scoring a try for the Brisbane Broncos against Manly in an NRL game in 2005.

Asked if he was up to the speed of Super Rugby, which he hasn't played since 2017, Hunt said: "I think so. We'll find out soon enough.

"But physically I feel good; the mind is good, the preparation has been a bit of a whirlwind to start off with.

"It's only been four weeks in the process, but I feel ready as I'll ever be."

Hunt has played just 10 minutes alongside Ashley-Cooper in a trial.

"He's got so much experience and so much confidence, and a cool head out there. He's going to make the game easy for myself and the boys outside him."

Valued for his defence, Hunt knows that quality will be tested by his Hurricanes opposite number Ngani Laumape, the hard-running 100-plus kilo All Black.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge. The Canes are a physical team; they like to play direct," Hunt said.

"10 and 12 are going to get a work-out tomorrow night, so we've been well prepped. It's been a huge focus for us in terms of shoring up the defensive line."

Hunt has played with several of the Tahs in Tests and said it was good to rekindle his relationship with fellow triple code footballer Israel Folau, who was a Broncos teammate in 2009.

The Hurricanes, who like the Tahs, lost in the 2018 semi-finals, will be without All Blacks five-eighth Beauden Barrett, who is on his honeymoon.

AAP