Karmichael Hunt not interested in extra cash as he eyes spot in World Cup squad

Wallaby Karmichael Hunt is happy to play for Gordon for nothing in their crucial Shute Shield clash as he chases his goal of being selected in Australia’s World Cup squad.

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Wallaby Karmichael Hunt has revealed why he is playing in the Shute Shield for nothing as he chases his goal of being selected in the World Cup squad.

While the Australian players in Saturday night’s Test against Argentina at Suncorp Stadium will each pocket $10,000, Hunt will play for Gordon in the season-defining clash with Easts at Chatswood Oval on Saturday, turning down the $100 match payments his teammates will receive.

“I wasn’t too interested in any of that, the money is better spent with trying to get other guys that were going to be a bit more fulltime than me,” Hunt said.

“If I could just chime in and help out at the end of the season after Super (Rugby) and just provide my experience and leadership and have some impact on the field, that’s all I really wanted. I didn’t need anything from them.”

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Gordon coach Darren Coleman pulled off a coup getting Hunt to the club and the Waratahs centre made a big impact during his debut in last week’s 42-34 win over Norths.

“It was a very impressive first-up hitout, he only played 50 minutes but it was a quality 50,” Coleman said. “He straightened up the attack well, broke some tackles and put on a nice try with an offload.”

It was Hunt’s first game after a knee injury that sidelined him for the Waratahs’ final three Super Rugby games.

“They took a bit more of a precautionary approach to getting back on the field and there were no questions on the knee whatsoever during the game and when I came off the field,” he said.

Karmichael Hunt had his first Shute Shield hitout for Gordon last week against Norths.

Hunt will use Saturday’s game where a place in the finals is on the line to remind Wallabies’ selectors of his credentials with one eye on the World Cup where his confrontation style could prove a big asset.

“It’s always the goal, this is my opportunity to regain some match fitness, play some good football and put my hand back up for Test selection,” Hunt said.

To demonstrate how serious he is, Hunt is making the three-hour return trip from his home in Bowral three times a week for training and games. Coleman said Hunt has also had a big influence at training and his presence has lifted the other players.

“At his first full session it was one of our best sessions of the year,” he said. “You could just tell the guys around him were focused and executing a little better because maybe they didn’t want to look like a goose around him.”

And that’s exactly why Hunt went to Gordon because he felt he could make a contribution.

“I really liked the fact that they weren’t at the top but they had ambitions,” he said.

“So if I was able to play some Shute Shield, I was all for helping a team that was trying to climb their way off the bottom of the ladder and become a bit of a force.

Karmichael Hunt is enjoying his time with Gordon in the Shute Shield.

“It’s a big game this weekend and I’m looking forward to going out there and hopefully have a bit of an impact.”

Having Hunt on deck against Easts is a real bonus for Gordon, in what Coleman describes as a playoff game come early.

“It’s effectively a knockout semi-final, if we lose this our season is pretty much done and the same for them,” Coleman said. “So it can’t be any more important.”

While he is more familiar with the fulltime professional environment, Hunt is also getting a lot out of playing at the grassroots.

“It’s a really enjoyable experience because you are playing with guys who aren’t fully-fledged professionals but are really passionate about their rugby and just want to compete for their club,” he said. “Going back with guys who love and breathe Gordon was a really nice change.”

Gordon will also be strengthened with the return of Wallaby Jack Dempsey.

In the 7TWO TV game, Sydney University tackle Norths at University Oval in a battle which will likely decide which team hosts a qualifying final in a fortnight.

Originally published as Karmichael Hunt not interested in extra cash as he eyes spot in World Cup squad