Karmichael Hunt shrugs off sickness to get ready for Reds debut against Rebels in Cairns
THE sick feeling in his stomach this week hasn’t been first-game nerves for Karmichael Hunt but gastro ahead of his debut for the Queensland Reds.
Rugby
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rugby. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE sick feeling in his stomach this week hasn’t been first-game nerves for Karmichael Hunt but gastro ahead of his debut for the Queensland Reds.
Hunt on Friday shrugged off the issue and a 2kg loss in weight as a minor inconvenience that could not possibly derail his excitement.
Playing a trial against the Melbourne Rebels in Cairns on Saturday night will be the three-code pioneer’s first rugby union match in five years.
“I’m not really feeling nerves,” Hunt said.
“Personally, I’ve not played a game of rugby for a long time so I’m just looking forward to feeling the pace of the game and getting my positioning right.
“The whole Reds squad wants to get started and put into practice what we’ve sort of been preaching at training.
“There’ll be match fitness gains, feeling that in-game contact and executing the game plan we’ve worked on to get keyed up for round one in a few weeks.”
Hunt is expecting to play about an hour at fullback. How he works off experimental young flyhalf Duncan Paia’aua will be one of the most fascinating aspects of the trial now that Quade Cooper’s injury has ripped so much playmaking variety from the backline.
The fact they will have to operate in the face of the abrasive Rebels defence, one of the Melbourne club’s huge 2014 gains under coach Tony McGahan, is an ideal trial scenario.
Hunt said he would likely play at just under 90kg after “dropping 2 or 3kg” earlier this week because of a bout of gastro.
The Reds will start bulldozing Samu Kerevi and experienced Anthony Faingaa in the centres because Ben Tapuai has a minor leg muscle strain.
Chris Kuridrani will get a shot at shining as a starting winger.
Originally published as Karmichael Hunt shrugs off sickness to get ready for Reds debut against Rebels in Cairns
Wright close to returning for Reds
As desperate as Liam Wright is to return from a shoulder injury for the Reds, the Queenslanders aren’t expected to risk him while there is any doubt over his fitness.
Stars of NSW Waratahs A team’s workout against Brumbies Runners
A road trip has freshened up some of the rising stars of rugby ahead of two crucial outings - the Waratahs second game of Super Rugby Pacific and Tahs U20 match trials. Stars and standouts