Karmichael Hunt, James O’Connor sign on to play with Queensland Reds in 2015

CODE-hopper Karmichael Hunt and wayward Wallaby James O’Connor will play for the Queensland Reds in 2015. Check out the full squad!

Karmichael Hunt to formally announce he will leave the Gold Coast Suns at the end of the season during a press conference at Metricon Stadium. Pics Adam Head

JAMES O’Connor’s willingness to shelve any special contract demands is the first sign that a new maturity at the Queensland Reds will replace his old spoiled kid persona.

There were reservations initially at Queensland Rugby Union board level that a player with O’Connor’s rap sheet of poor discipline was a bad fit for the Reds.

The Reds on Friday night announced the signing of O’Connor, along with code-hopping superstar Karmichael Hunt for 2015.

Will Genia: Hunt an outstanding signing for Reds

Comment: Hunt should use NRC to ease into rugby

Queensland Rugby Union chief executive Jim Carmichael was the big advocate for O’Connor after a series of face-to-face meetings in England and in Queensland over 10 months.

That O’Connor has been tonight unveiled on a two-year deal when no other Super Rugby club in the country wanted to touch him may prove a coup.

Reds coach Richard Graham wants to utilise O’Connor’s speed, footwork and roaming skills as a winger, a position where the Wallabies have a critical shortage of Test-toughened performers.

“I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to understand his psyche away from the football part and whether he’d do justice to this decision,” Carmichael said.

“To me, he has demonstrated how much he wants this.

“He has shown great maturity to come back on our terms and work hard to be a Wallaby.”

James O'Connor has signed a two-year deal with the Queensland Reds.

O’Connor, 24, has been sitting on a done deal with the Reds since May, contract news that News Limited revealed exclusively in June.

“There was some scepticism in our organisation at the start. There is risk to anything in life but I’m confident James will thrive in the environment at the Reds,” Carmichael said.

Beyond O’Connor and code convert Karmichael Hunt, the big signing announced tonight at the Reds Gala Ball is Kiwi-born Japanese Test No. 8 Henrik Tui.

He is no bigger than current No. 8 Jake Schatz at 1.90m and 110kg but has been recruited for the big ball-running that was so missing from the Reds’ lame season.

Bringing powerful Sunnybank backrower Lolo Fakaosilea, 19, into the Reds’ Extended Playing Squad is also aimed at developing more ball-carrying clout.

Hendrik Tui is a ball-running backrower from Japan.

Brisbane Broncos Under-20s five-eighth Duncan Paia’aua, 19, has been snapped up while two influential signings are still being finalised.

Hunt has signed a three-year deal, a big statement that he wants to take this rugby journey all the way to the Wallabies.

“For me to come home and pull on that Reds jersey is going to be a huge honour,” O’Connor said.

“Obviously there’s a lot of hard work that needs to go into it and there’s a great culture in the team and one I just can’t wait to throw myself into.

“There’s some massive leaders in the team and some great youth coming through.

“I also think it is a place where I can be nurtured and really fulfil my potential in Australian rugby.”

Karmichael Hunt has signed a three-year deal with the Queensland Reds.

Frontline Red Will Genia welcomed O’Connor’s arrival in January after a stint with French giants Toulon.

“I think we have the leadership capabilities here to help him work through any of those (off-field) issues,” Genia said.

“I think in his time away from Australia he has matured and grown as well.”

Carmichael said there was no issue of ill will between O’Connor and Reds coach Richard Graham, who was the Western Force boss when the player had an ugly split in mid-2011.

“Richard is a very pragmatic man. No issue,” Carmichael said.

ARU boss Bill Pulver also welcomed Hunt’s switch to rugby, along with O’Connor’s decision to return home.

“We’re delighted that an athlete of Karmichael’s calibre has chosen to play Rugby – a game he’s familiar with and a game that we’re confident will allow him to excite fans with his abilities on the field and profile off it,” Pulver said.

“We’ve seen Israel Folau adapt quickly to Rugby and we expect Karmichael to do the same.

“His immediate focus will be on gaining selection for the Queensland Reds, and we look forward to tracking his progress throughout next season and beyond.

“We are pleased James has made the decision to return to Rugby in Australia. He is a player who has a huge amount of potential on the field and I’m sure he’s excited about the opportunity being presented to him by the Queensland Reds.”

Big-hearted Reds utility back Ben Lucas is one regular face missing from the squad after terms could not be reached for a new deal.

REDS SQUAD FOR 2015

Backs: Lachie Turner, J-J Taulagi, James O’Connor, Chris Kuridrani, Karmichael Hunt, Ben Tapuai, Samu Kerevi, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Anthony Faingaa, Duncan Paia’aua, Will Genia, Nick Frisby, Quade Cooper.

Forwards: Hendrik Tui, Jake Schatz, Beau Robinson, Ed Quirk, Liam Gill, Lolo Fakaosilea (EPS), Curtis Browning, James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Ed O’Donoghue, Dave McDuling, Ben Daley, Greg Holmes, James Slipper, Saia Faingaa, Andrew Ready (EPS), James Hanson, (at least two fully-contracted players to be added)

Originally published as Karmichael Hunt, James O’Connor sign on to play with Queensland Reds in 2015