Brisbane Global Rugby Tens: Karmichael Hunt shines for Reds to offer hope for Super League season

THE Reds will be hoping that Karmichael Hunt is able to transfer his first-up sparkle at the Brisbane Tens to the serious business of a Super Rugby revival.

Karmichael Hunt showed flashes of class at the Brisbane tens that has been conspicuous by its absence in recent seasons.

A RE-ENERGISED Karmichael Hunt adopted a new wolfman persona when the Queensland Reds sprung to life in Saturday’s scorcher at the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens.

Those diehard fans left disheartened by last year’s three-win season in Super Rugby were desperate for signs of fresh life from the Reds under new coach Nick Stiles.

It’s easy to say “it’s only Tens” but effort to back-up breaks with more than a token man, willingness in defence and catch-and-pass skill are currency in sevens, tens or 15-a-side.

The Reds showed too little of all those fundamentals at various times last year so the sharpness and team vibe to the 17-all draw with Auckland’s Blues was highly encouraging at Suncorp Stadium.

The 28-0 misfire against the classy Crusaders late in the day was far less relevant because Hunt and Wallabies centre Samu Kerevi were spared and the Reds’ fielded the youngest and most inexperienced members of their squad.

Hunt was on the scoresheet in the Reds entertaining draw with the Blues.

“Karmichael reminded me of his rugby league days with the way he bounced to the outside and beat defenders so that was very encouraging from him in our strong start,” Stiles said.

“You probably think I’m crazy for putting out our youngest players against a team like the Crusaders but it’s invaluable to learn what happens if you are really passive because, after a rev, there was more intent.”

The Reds are outsiders to advance to the quarter-finals from Sunday’s final Pool B clash against the impressive Samoans at 10.54am but the Tens are heading for a colourful finale regardless in extreme heat.

The Samoans with their over-zealous dabbing celebrations when toppling the Blues from 14-0 down, Berrick Barnes’ Japanese surprises from the Panasonic Wild Knights, the ACT Brumbies and plenty of Kiwi class will likely spice the quarter-finals. A Samoa-Crusaders final ... maybe.

Samu Kerevi looked in good shape following last year’s ankle surgery.

Saturday’s furnace reached 36 degrees but savvy fans were free to move with the shade for respite, including the 80 Russell Coight impersonators and 19 rogue nuns with drinking habits.

Now 30, Hunt had groin repair surgery late last year and a full pre-season but the veteran code-collector forgot the summer shears for the spectacle.

The Reds won’t care what unruly locks or beard he turns up with if he can transfer his first-up sparkle to a Super Rugby revival.

He was an underpowered flop in his first season at the Reds in 2015 in a slim AFL player’s body and last year’s good start petered out with not a single linebreak.

It was Hunt’s slick ball that got the best Reds try rolling on Saturday over 85m for scampering James Slipper, Kerevi, Eto Nabuli and try-scorer James Tuttle.

A no-look over-the-shoulder inside pass to Chris Kuridrani was another nice touch and the hot Coights in the stand were on their feet when he strolled over on the blindside after a crash ball ploy using 129kg prop Taniela “Tongan Thor” Tupou.

Hunt has beefed up during an extended off-season and looks fit for purpose.

“There are no issues from the groin ... osteitis pubis is in the rear vision mirror and I’ve been able to get my full conditioning up to have a good crack at the season,” Hunt said.

Wallaby centre Kerevi was delighted to get his season underway after last year’s ankle surgery just as All Blacks winger Nehe Milner-Skudder (Hurricanes) also scored a zippy try in his return from shoulder surgery.

A healthy crowd of 21,000-plus enjoyed the variety, try-jinks, flick passes and even the audacity of two Samoan penalty goals from drop kicks to sink the Blues 27-14.

Springbok centre Jesse Kriel urged the Bulls for a clearance to play and when it came through from South Africa’s governing body it was a strong indicator of how the tournament vibe has caught on with the players.

“It gets the blood going just before Super Rugby, you don’t see 14 teams coming together like this, there are teams from both sides of the ditch and younger players being exposed and tested,” Crusaders captain Jordan Taufua said.

“All in all, it’s a bloody great tournament to be involved in.”

Originally published as Brisbane Global Rugby Tens: Karmichael Hunt shines for Reds to offer hope for Super League season