Karmichael Hunt makes strong impression in first hit out for Queensland Reds

A visibly stronger and more robust Hunt had Queensland Reds officials quietly smiling after the club’s first in-house game of the pre-season on Saturday.

Karmichael Hunt. QLD Reds players have a final scratch match before the Christmas break. Pic Jono Searle.

MEET Karmichael Hunt version 3.0.

A visibly stronger and more robust Hunt had Queensland Reds officials quietly smiling yesterday after the club’s first in-house game of the pre-season at Ballymore.

The musclcular fullback has added 3kg to the 89kg frame he maintained while carving out a five-year career with the AFL’s Gold Coast Suns.

Hunt has put himself through a rigorous weights program and an increased calorie intake to prepare his body for Super Rugby.

“I have been eating more and doing a weights program three times a week,” Hunt said.

“I’ve got a heavier load in the gym and mostly working my upper and lower limbs and doing full body circuits.

“I tried to stay away from the weights in the AFL because my goal was to lose a bit of muscle mass and weight.

“It’s nice having a bit more on the plate and I have become a bit more aware of my diet at home.

“I’m not tucking into any nasty stuff at takeaway windows and I am still eating clean, organic food. I am just trying to eat a bit more of it.’’

Hunt showed all the skill which made him Australia’s premier rugby league fullback with the Broncos during a 90-minute session officiated by Super Rugby referee Rohan Hoffmann yesterday.

It was as if the 28-year-old had never left the rugby field, marshalling the troops from behind the line, acting as a second playmaker in the build-up, using his natural ability to read the game to find gaps and creating chances with his familiar flair.

Hunt said the transition from AFL to rugby had been much smoother than his last code shift.

“Yeah it’s been more about getting reacquainted with the game,” Hunt said.

Karmichael Hunt sends the ball downfield during the Reds hit-out at Ballymore.

“I’ve played it before and there have been some subtle changes but in the basic frame of rugby hasn’t really changed.

“It’s been a lot smoother this time around and a lot easier mentally, knowing all I have to do is get used to my teammates and the structure that we want to play.

“I’ve enjoyed being back in rugby, the culture in the rooms and training sessions is great and I’m looking forward to playing next year.’’

Hunt also proved he lost none of his toughness while in the AFL by putting his body on the line in a last-ditch attempt to save a try.

While Hunt insisted his choice to don a singlet for the game was not an attempt to hold on to his AFL connection, Hunt’s teammates were given a taste of his new skills when he launched a kick from inside his own 20m across field to find touch 5m from the opposing tryline.

“I should be able to bring some strong kicking to the team,” Hunt said. “I have done plenty of it over the last five years and it could be an asset for our team.

“We have got some good kickers in the team so I guess we will share the workload around.’’

Reds coach Richard Graham said Hunt was already delivering the quality of play which prompted the club to sign him.

“He is all the things we thought he would have been in terms of his level of professionalism and leadership so he has fitted in really well,” Graham said.

Graham said he was not shocked by the skill level of the former Anglican Church Grammar School and French club rugby player.

“He obviously has a background of three years in the game, with two as a schoolboys at Churchie and a year at Biarritz Olympique.

“When you think about it he has played (fullback) for Biarritz at the top level and that’s pretty much a Super Rugby season.’’

Originally published as Karmichael Hunt makes strong impression in first hit out for Queensland Reds