Karmichael Hunt predicts a world of hurt under Brad Thorn, sets sights on Wallabies after comeback

MUCH like his new Queensland Reds coach, Karmichael Hunt is concise about what life will be like under Brad Thorn: “It’s going to be tough”.

MUCH like his new Queensland Reds coach, Karmichael Hunt doesn’t waste a word in assessing what life will be like under Brad Thorn.

“It’s going to be tough,” Hunt says.

Hunt knows better than most.

The Reds veteran played rugby league with Thorn for Brisbane over a decade ago, when the big unit returned from New Zealand rugby for another three-year stint at the Broncos between 2005-07.

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Brad Thorn and Hunt shared success during their time at the Broncos.

One was a teenage winger and the other a 30-plus forward but Hunt and Thorn won a premiership together under Wayne Bennett in 2006, and Hunt learned enough about Thorn in those days to understand what life will be like at the Reds next year.

“The way he got through his footy career, not just playing a physical brand of footy, but he demands accountability — especially in the gym,” Hunt said.

“And when you’re out on the field, I know from playing with him at the Broncos, if you are not pulling your weight or you’re shirking the contest, he’s not going to have any of that.

“I think that is what we need. We have a young impressionable group and to have a leader like Brad, who is demanding in what he wants, it can only be good for us.”

Thorn was appointed as head coach of Queensland last week after Nick Stiles was shown the door after a single poor season in the job. Stiles has since expressed interest in the vacant Wallabies forwards coach job.

Rumours of the shake-up had been bubbling for some time but Hunt said it had still been “a pretty tough week emotionally”.

Thorn has a wealth of experience to draw on. Pic Annette Dew

“I am pretty close to ‘Stilesy’ and I really feel for him,” Hunt said.

“It’s the nature of the business. I know both guys really well and it’s unfortunate for ‘Stilesy’, and fortunate for Brad as well.

“We are obviously not getting the results that we wanted and the board obviously saw fit to make a change. So we back Thorny all the way but obviously also feel sorry for ‘Stilesy’.”

Hunt returned from a lengthy injury break on Sunday for Brisbane City in the NRC, playing a strong 40 minutes against the Sydney Rays, with typically abrasive work on both sides of the ball.

Hunt required surgery on an ankle injury suffered in July. It was terrible timing given the triple code star had only just broken through with the Wallabies in an assured June series.

​”Injuries are always frustrating but especially for myself after getting into the Wallabies team and having to sit on the sidelines and watch them run around, it’s been tough for me personally,” Hunt said.

“But it’s been a driving and motivating factor as well, just wanting to get back in and be involved with the guys again. Hopefully I am on my way there.”

Hunt knows what Thorn will demand. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

The impressive return of Kurtley Beale to the Wallabies no. 12 jersey has thrown a spanner in the works for Hunt, but he says it’s a great scenario for Cheika and Australian rugby.

“Looking at it, there is probably a selection headache for him but to be honest, you want as many good players in the team as possible and hopefully I can be there,” Hunt said.

“I want to be there. But first is obviously getting my fitness back and my conditioning and my confidence.”

Cheika is a huge fan of Hunt, who has a rare mix of combative strength and excellent playmaking capacity. The coach said he would “find a way” to get Hunt back in his team, and the likely spot is the utility impact role off the bench that Beale filled so well at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Originally published as Karmichael Hunt predicts a world of hurt under Brad Thorn, sets sights on Wallabies after comeback