Michael Cheika reserves judgement on Karmichael Hunt as cocaine bust rocks Reds
MICHAEL Cheika will reserve his opinion of Karmichael Hunt until the legal proceedings following star code-hopper’s alleged cocaine bust is finalised.
WALLABIES coach Michael Cheika says there is no room in the game for players who use recreational drugs, but will reserve his opinion of Karmichael Hunt until the legal proceedings following star code-hopper’s alleged cocaine bust is finalised.
Cheika, like the rest of the rugby world, is in shock after police served Hunt notice to appear in court on March 5 to face four counts of supplying a dangerous drug.
The news came just a week after Cheika had summonsed Hunt to a meeting of prospective World Cup candidates as he prepares for the Wallabies’ campaign later this year.
“I was totally impressed with the guy,” Cheika said.
“I am not here to pass judgement on anyone.
“In the couple of times I’ve met him, he has been absolutely spot-on with what he’s said about his performance.
“Something happens now in the interim, but I think it’s important that whatever legal course [must] run itself out before we start passing judgment as well.”
But Cheika’s personal stance is that there is no room for drugs — performance-enhancing or recreational — in any athlete’s life.
“It’s not even in the zone, we’re professional sportsmen trying to play at the peak of our abilities,” Cheika said.
“For me, around the sporting scene, it’s all about high performance, preparation, making sure all the little two per-centers count.”
Hunt addressed his Queensland Reds teammates on Friday morning, shortly after news broke of the charges against him.
The 28-year-old is understood to have confirmed to the squad that the reports of the charges were true, and apologised for letting them down, but did not say much more given the legal proceedings underway.
He was named vice-captain of the Reds in the pre-season and in his first Super Rugby game last Friday week, he assumed captaincy duties in the final quarter of the loss to the Brumbies when skipper James Slipper was replaced.
Hunt has impressed all within rugby circles with his attitude and was the only non-capped player to attend the meeting of Wallabies called by Cheika following the Reds-Brumbies game.
However, his future in the Reds jersey, and any potential appearance at the World Cup in September for Australia, is under serious jeopardy following the action taken by the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC), who are seeking to smash an alleged syndicate that has been supplying cocaine in the Gold Coast.
Hunt’s notice relates to supplying friends and colleagues, and it remains unclear whether he is accused of using cocaine himself.
“A 28-year-old man from Hendra was served with a Notice to Appear in Court to face four counts of Supply Dangerous Drug contrary to section 6 of the Drugs Misuse Act 1986,” a CCC statement said.
“He is expected to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on 5 March 2015.”
Cheika said the ARU, who announced on Friday that Hunt would be stood down “until further notice”, would take all the proper steps.
“The ARU has got its process very clear around how things are going to happen around this space going forward, I’m sure that Phil Thompson as integrity officer, he’ll be making sure the right process is followed and that no matter what happens, things are done correctly,” Cheika said.
The coach added that Australian rugby, having already suffered an image battering following the Di Patstson-Kurtley Beale saga late last year, should not be blamed for the actions of individuals.
“The game will survive all the time, I don’t think the game did anything, one of the people who are playing the game has been accused of something, and he will have the right to do whatever he does around that space,” Cheika said.
“But I don’t think rugby caused any of this angst.
“I’m very positive around what’s going to happen in rugby going forward.”
The Reds said Hunt’s alleged offences occurred between September 1 to October 3 last year, when he was still contracted to AFL club Gold Coast Suns.
Originally published as Michael Cheika reserves judgement on Karmichael Hunt as cocaine bust rocks Reds