Code-swapping ex-Kangaroos and Brisbane Broncos star Karmichael Hunt trains with Souths Logan

This code-swapping former Kangaroos and Brisbane Broncos star will return to rugby league, taking up training with a Queensland Cup side.

Code-swapping former Kangaroos and Brisbane Broncos star fullback Karmichael Hunt will return to rugby league training with the Queensland Cup side Souths Logan Magpies.

After a 17 year professional career, which saw him play league for the Broncos, Kangaroos, the Queensland State of Origin, Gold Coast Suns (AFL), the Reds, Wallabies and Waratahs (rugby), Hunt will start training with Souths Logan on Monday. He left rugby league in 2010.

Souths Logan long serving CEO Jim McClelland confirmed Hunt, 34, would be training with the Magpies alongside another former NRL star, Kevin Locke, who has signed for the 2021 season.

Darren Lockyer and Karmichael Hunt celebrate match and series victory after Game 2 of NSW v Queensland State of Origin series at ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park, Homebush in Sydney.

Hunt, who has been touted by coaching great Wayne Bennett as a future coach, stressed while he was looking forward to training with his junior league club, his No. 1 priority was still to pursue a European rugby career if possible.

But the reality is the COVID-19 world has made Hunt’s next step in professional rugby decidedly uncertain, leaving Souths Logan as a genuine option.

Asked about the prospects of Hunt playing for the Magpies in season 2021, McClelland said: “It is unknown. If he was wanting to play, then we are comfortable having him in our side.

“If he chose to play, we would be over the moon, but I understand there is a lot of water to go under the bridge.

“The initial benefit to us is having someone like Karmichael in our training group because he is an ultimate professional.

“He has plenty to input into our young men and women with his footie knowledge and also around his life journey.’’

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Hunt, whose wife Emma was expecting the couple’s fourth child within a few weeks, also has coaching aspirations and McClelland would love to see Hunt involved in the club as a coach in the future.

Karmichael Hunt in action for the Waratahs. (AAP Image/Mark Nolan)

“We are the club that can give him that opportunity,’’ McClelland said.

“I have spoken to Wayne Bennett about it and Wayne said he has plenty to offer.

“He is a student of the game of rugby league.’’

Hunt burst into the NRL in 2004 as a teenage fullback and progressed to play for Queensland and Australia where he was once described by then Test coach Ricky Stuart as having too much courage for his own wellbeing.

But at the end of the 2010 season Hunt sensationally switched codes to join the Gold Coast Suns (2011–2014).

AFL football – Adelaide Crows vs Gold Coast Suns match at AAMI Stadium – footballer Karmichael Hunt about Scott Thompson.

He played 44 top flight matches on the Coast, with his AFL career highlight kicking a matchwinning goal against Richmond Tigers to end a 12-month losing streak for the Suns.

He then joined the Reds rugby organisation (2015), but that tenure was disrupted when he was fined $300 for possession of the prescription drug Xanax.

Karmichael Hunt as a Reds player in 2016.

He was with the Waratahs last season, but NSW officials did not renew his contract for 2021, leading to Hunt’s return to Brisbane.

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Meanwhile, McClelland said former New Zealand international Kevin Locke would be an ideal on-field mentor for the club’s young players.

Kevin Locke playing for the New Zealand Warriors. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Rob Coxx)

“He wants to get back to a higher level and believes he can do it,’’ McClelland said of the 31-year-old former Warriors star.

“And we are happy to give him that opportunity.’’

Souths Logan will be coached by Steve Brethreton in season 2021 and will also have juniors Tesi Niu, George Fai and Broncos recruit Albert Kelly in Magpies colours, while junior Dray Ngatuere-Wroe has returned to the club.

Originally published as Code-swapping ex-Kangaroos and Brisbane Broncos star Karmichael Hunt trains with Souths Logan