Queensland rugby hard man Stan Pilecki says Reds left with egg on their face after Karmichael Hunt saga

RUGBY hardman Stan Pilecki is angry his code has gone soft on punishing cocaine-stained Karmichael Hunt when he should have been booted out of the game.

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RUGBY hardman Stan Pilecki is angry his code has gone soft on punishing cocaine-stained Karmichael Hunt when he should have been booted out of the game.

The former Wallaby prop said the six-week ban and $30,000 fine imposed on Hunt yesterday by rugby’s governing bodies was inadequate.

“I know you get second chances in life but rugby doesn’t need any bad baggage,” said Pilecki, who played 122 times for Queensland in the 1970s and ’80s.

“I know there are plenty of former players in my circle of friends who believe rugby should cut him totally.

“He hasn’t fulfilled his contract to the Reds or Australian rugby or all the kids out there he was going to be an example for.

“After all the fanfare about him being a leader, rugby only has egg on its face.”

Being stripped of the Reds vice-captaincy was another blow in yesterday’s fallout after Hunt pleaded guilty to four counts of cocaine possession in Southport Magistrates Court.

He was fined $2500 with no conviction recorded but the damage to his three-code reputation is far greater for what Hunt called his “terrible mistake.”

HUNT ‘MISTAKE COSTS HIM $30,000 FINE AND SUSPENSION

The highest individual honour in Queensland rugby, the Pilecki Medal, is named after the Reds legend who also took a shot at those in power who hired Hunt.

“The buck has to stop with the Queensland Rugby Union board as well ... someone employed him without the right background checks,” Pilecki said.

Hunt’s six-week ban will mean missing five games, two he has already been stood down for, tomorrow night’s interstate clash against the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium and two further games.

QRU chief executive Jim Carmichael said many hours of discussion with the Australian Rugby Union and the Rugby Union Players Association had reached what all parties believed was the right handling of the Hunt case.

“In arriving at these penalties we have all been acutely mindful of our responsibilities to sport and the wider community as well as the long-term interests of the game, our stakeholders and our fans,” Carmichael said.

“However, major professional sport in Australia also regards the use of illicit substances as a welfare issue in the first instance.

“Karmichael has shown significant contrition and remorse throughout this process and rugby is now ensuring Karmichael receives the appropriate education and rehabilitation in advance of a return to the field.

“Each individual will have their own perspective and opinion on this issue and this specific case based on their personal life experience.”

Fullback Hunt will train at Ballymore until March 22 at times when the Reds are not training there before being reintegrated for a return against the Melbourne Rebels in Melbourne on April 3.

Originally published as Queensland rugby hard man Stan Pilecki says Reds left with egg on their face after Karmichael Hunt saga