Queenslander Hunt poised to play for NSW

Friday, 15 February 2019:

Playing for NSW will be a spin out for Karmichael Hunt, as he starts his Waratahs Super Rugby journey at a ground he last played on almost 14 years ago in another code.

The versatile 32-year-old will play his first Super Rugby game for his new team in Saturday's opening round match against the Hurricanes at Sydney's Brookvale Oval.

His only previous appearance at the venue was back in 2005, when he scored a try in the Brisbane Bronco's 21-20 NRL loss to Manly.

"I was only 18-years-old back then, it was definitely a learning experience to come here and play footy,' Hunt recalled.

"It's a bit of a spin out standing in a Waratahs jersey getting ready to play at Brookie against the Canes. It's going to be a hell of an experience."

Hunt has spent most of his three-code career playing for Queensland teams, having represented the Broncos, Gold Coast in AFL and the Reds in Super Rugby.

But he's already played with some of the Tahs biggest names during his six Test appearances in 2017, notably fellow multi-code exponent Israel Folau.

Hunt previously played alongside Folau for the Broncos, Queensland and Australian rugby league teams before both moved to AFL expansion clubs.

"Izzy and I, it's been a nice relationship to rekindle, we've been catching up quite a lot its been good to share some stories," he said.

"We haven't had coffee and gone through the journey extensively, but there's always moments where things might remind us ...

"Coming back to Brookie, where we're thinking about our league days, or we're doing fitness and we're thinking about our AFL days."

Capable of playing several backline positions, Hunt starts his Waratahs career in midfield after Kurtley Beale was spared a match-up against hard-running All Black Ngani Laumape.






AAP