Israel Folau urges Queensland Reds to hunt down Karmichael after season of woe

CODE-collector Karmichael Hunt would be a hit for the Reds and could make a mature and instant impact, according to Israel Folau.

Israel Folau imparts some tips during a visit to St Columban’s College in Queensland.

CODE-collector Karmichael Hunt would be a hit for the Reds and could make a mature and instant impact, according to Israel Folau.

Folau briefly turned Reds recruitment adviser on Wednesday during a surprise flying visit to Queensland rugby turf at Caboolture.

With Hunt weighing up his options for next season, it may not just be the NRL’s Gold Coast Titans and Melbourne Storm who try to woo him from AFL’s Gold Coast Suns.

“I’m sure clubs in the NRL and rugby would both want the services of a proven performer of his calibre,” Wallabies trump Folau said.

“If the Reds decided to take him on, he’d be a great buy for them.

News_Image_File: Karmichael Hunt takes part in a Gold Coast Suns training session.

“He would fit straight into the way they play and do a top job because he’s already shown he can handle the game with (French club) Biarritz and enjoy it.’’

Former Brisbane Broncos stalwart Hunt, 27, dabbled in rugby with Biarritz for 15 games in 2009-10, including the Heineken Cup final when he scored a try as an outside centre.

The spiralling Reds must explore every backline option available to them for next season to inject more size and punch.

A hard-running outside centre or fullback like Hunt changes from a wild left-field option to possible consideration with so few off-contract game-changers around.

Hunt has been a popular team-first player with the Suns, in contrast to James O’Connor, another possible fullback-inside centre target.

News_Rich_Media: Reds captain James Horwill has rejected suggestions the players should play a key role in deciding whether James O'Connor signs for the club, insisting the decision makers should make the final call.

“Any decision made on any player will be based on what is in the best interests of the entire playing group and for the standards this organisation upholds,” Reds skipper James Horwill said.

With Hunt, the issue for the Reds and NRL clubs is the hefty contract level he has become accustomed too, with a Suns deal beefed up by AFL’s head office.

Folau’s visit to St Columban’s College on Wednesday was a show-stopper for the Caboolture school’s 950 students.

When Year 10 student-cum-flanker Thomas Finck told classmates that the Wallabies star would be dropping by as a guest coach, they scoffed.

News_Image_File: Folau with year 10 student Thomas Finck at St Columban’s College.

“They laughed for 10 minutes and figured I was pulling another joke,” Finck, 15, said.

Finck’s mum Katrina pulled off the coup in her son’s name by winning the coaching session in a competition run by the Wonder White bread company.

Playing touch rugby and throwing tips out for the kids was the easy part until the fearless First XV asked the questions rugby journos never do in a 10-minute huddle.

“Union or league?”, “How much do you earn?” and “How many girlfriends have you had?” put him on the spot. “Union”, “next question” and “how many do you have?” were perfect sidesteps.

The Reds will fight to extend their 6-0 match record against the Melbourne Rebels at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.