Karmichael Hunt unavailable for Reds selection and stood down from training by QRU

KARMICHAEL Hunt is unavailable for selection by the Queensland Reds and will not train with the team until allegations of cocaine supply are heard in court next week.

KARMICHAEL Hunt is unavailable for selection by the Queensland Reds and has also been stood down from training until allegations of cocaine supply are heard in court on Thursday week.

That is the practical outcome of today’s Queensland Rugby Union stance when coach Richard Graham said rugby had “inherited” the incident from another sport.

Graham’s comments are the most pointed yet that rugby union feels it is dealing with a tricky incident that unfolded between September 1 and October 3 last year when Hunt was still under contract to AFL’s Gold Coast Suns.

“It’s pretty clear the incident happened in another sport and we’ve inherited this stuff,” Graham said.

Karmichael Hunt will miss Friday’s clash against the Highlanders.

“We are dealing with it the best we can and doing a good job of it.”

Graham clarified that fullback Hunt would not be training with the Reds until his court appearance on Thursday week. It came a few hours after Hunt was put on the “not available” list for Friday night’s clash against the Highlanders in Dunedin.

“He won’t be training with us for the next period of time but we will keep him on a modified program to keep him ticking over,” Graham said without specifying if that fitness work would be conducted away from the team’s Ballymore base.

“I’ve certainly offered my support to him. He’s dealing with a range of isses at the moment that are quite complex.

“The thing about him is he’s a strong character and he has a lot of good support around him.

“He’s innocent until proven guilty and he’s got his day in court next week.”

Graham hosed down any thought the cocaine allegations should prompt major concerns in rugby union.

“Anyone who understands the timeline knows that at that point (of the alleged offence) Karmichael wasn’t with us so, no, I don’t believe it’s a wider issue, certainly not within our team,” Graham said.

Fullback Hunt is “not available for selection this Friday” against the Highlanders in Dunedin, the QRU announced earlier in the day.

Hunt was stood down by the QRU from last Saturday night’s clash against the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium on the day before the game when the cocaine charges were revealed publically.

“Following extensive consultation with Karmichael over the weekend, we have determined that it continues to be best for Karmichael’s welfare that he is that he is not available for selection this Friday,” QRU chief executive Jim Carmichael said.

Karmichael Hunt at Reds pre-season training.

“As this highly complicated matter is due before the courts and is part of a wider and ongoing investigation by the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission, we will continue not to prejudice the player’s legal or contractual rights and we will apply the principles of natural justice.

“Notwithstanding our responsibilities to our members, fans and wider rugby stakeholders - and although Karmichael was not contracted to rugby during the period in question - the QRU strongly believes it has a duty of care to its employees.

“As such, we will continue to provide Karmichael with the required organisational support.”

Carmichael’s stance is that Hunt was not under a Reds contract between September 1 and October 3 last year, the period in which the allegations are aimed.

“The playing group is aware of the organisation’s position and is entirely focused on preparing for an important Super Rugby game against the Highlanders in Dunedin this Friday following our win over the Western Force on Saturday,” Carmichael said.

Hunt has been served with a Notice to Appear in Court. He is expected in Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday week.

The QRU, Australian Rugby Union and the Rugby Union Players’ Association are working closely in relation to this matter, the QRU said in the statement.

Reds skipper James Slipper said he was “pretty shocked” when the Hunt news broke last Friday but the team had forged on, shut out distractions and beaten the Western Force 18-6 last Saturday night.

“You can’t escape it so it’s a distraction in a sense but we are rugby players here to keep minds on the job which is to prepare for the Highlanders,” Slipper said.

“Once the matter is heard in court I’m sure we’ll have another discussion about it (at a team meeting).”

Slipper was pressed on how widespread he thought dabbling in drugs was in sport.

“It’s a social problem and just a few people have been caught up in it,” Slipper said.

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Originally published as Karmichael Hunt unavailable for Reds selection and stood down from training by QRU