Why knee injury won’t force Karmichael Hunt out of World Cup
His Super Rugby season is over but Karmichael Hunt’s World Cup is set to win selection in Michael Cheika’s Wallabies side.
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Karmichael Hunt’s Super Rugby season is over and his knee ligament injury will delay any audition he’s earned for the Wallabies before the World Cup squad is picked.
The good news for the veteran is that he is still in the fight after a burly Jaguares forward fell across his left knee last Saturday night at western Sydney’s Bankwest Stadium.
The winces on many faces watching the TV replay suggested the damage might be even worse than a grade three medial ligament strain.
Centre Hunt, 32, will have scans Monday to confirm the damage and a minimum six weeks on the sidelines.
He will be off the radar for the Wallabies’ opening Test against South Africa in Johannesburg on July 20 which leaves just three Tests to build a possible case for a Cup call-up.
In truth, he’s probably pitched his case already in the hour per game he’s averaged through 12 outings for the NSW Waratahs.
Picking World Cup squads isn’t about naming 31 potential starters but coach Michael Cheika being shrewd enough to also pick the right number of role players capable of strong 25-minute cameos.
That’s the valuable back-up role that the experienced Hunt has been auditioning for.
Strong front-on tackling, nifty off-loads like his for the Nick Phipps’ try in Johannesburg, hassling to prevent a late field goal against the Sunwolves and willing ball-carting are his package.
His declining speed has left him less able to make side-to-side adjustments when opposition flyers enter the backline which potentially makes England and the All Blacks poor match-ups.
Cheika has mentioned Hunt’s attributes but is making him earn a way back after his drug blemishes.
He has had no invite to either of the two camps for Wallabies’ candidates but the pre-Johannesburg camp will be when Cheika gets serious with who is in or out.
Back-to-back wins over the Hurricanes (28-20) and Waratahs (23-15) have been quality on the road from the Jaguares, who jump to the top of the South African Conference.
The Jaguares are a virtual Argentinian Test team and will be a tough match-up for the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
The Reds will be without prop Harry Hoopert (head knock) but there will be some cavalry returning.
Centre Samu Kerevi will be back refreshed after his forced rest week.
How would a smart Kerevi crash ball or offload have opened up the Chiefs when the Queenslanders had more than 70 per cent of the ball in Hamilton last Friday night?
It’s a frustrating “what if” for all Reds fans after a 19-13 loss because the Reds barely threatened to make a break with their lack of footwork at the defensive line.
Prop JP Smith and backrower Caleb Timu should now be clear of concussion, Hamish Stewart is eager to play after his AC joint problem and lock Harry Hockings is available now he’s served his three-match suspension.
The Jaguares play with a potent mix of strong forward play, up-tempo ball movement and one of the best short-kicking games in the competition.
Originally published as Why knee injury won’t force Karmichael Hunt out of World Cup
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