Can Karmichael Hunt be a World Cup Wallaby? We debate for an against the cross-code superstar
KARMICHAEL Hunt has made another code switch, joining the Queensland Reds - so, should he also be up for Wallabies selection? We debate his credentials.
KARMICHAEL Hunt has made another code switch, joining the Queensland Reds - so, should he also be up for Wallabies selection?
Hunt knocked back approaches from the NRL to join the Super Rugby franchise and has already declared he wants to be a Wallaby, which would make him a dual international.
But should Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie consider him for the World Cup? Dominic Burke and Sam Bruce argue the case for and against.
Yes, he should come into World Cup calculations …
The debate for including Karmichael Hunt in the Wallabies’ World Cup calculations can be summed up in two words: Israel Folau.
As Hunt’s former Broncos, Queensland State of Origin and Australian Test teammate Folau has shown, making the transition from rugby league to rugby union (via AFL) can be successful – and rapid.
Folau was starring for the Wallabies just four months after making his rugby union debut, and Hunt already has runs on the board in the 15-man game.
He starred in GPS rugby at Brisbane’s Churchie school, and in between his switch from the NRL to the AFL had a short stint of French club rugby with Biarritz Olympique.
Playing in the centres, Hunt helped Biarritz to the Heineken Cup final and scored the only try in the decider which his side narrowly lost to fellow French outfit Toulouse.
He can clearly play, and while he might not immediately usurp Folau at fullback, or Tevita Kuridrani/Adam Ashley-Cooper at outside centre, it’s not a stretch to suggest that he could thrust himself into the Wallabies mix.
And that’s a good thing for Australian rugby, which can surely only benefit from having more world class players at its disposal.
Fox Sports Rugby expert Rod Kafer was talking about the ARU relaxing its rules on selecting overseas-based stars (which it did this week) when he said: “Australian rugby’s really about having the strongest Wallabies side you can possibly have every week. The mission of Australian rugby is to be the number one rugby-playing nation in the world. In order to get there I think you’ve got to have your best players on the field.”
But the same rule should apply in this case.
Now that Karmichael Hunt is playing for the Reds next year, if he makes a good fist of his transition it’s a no-brainer: he should be considered for a World Cup spot.
- Dominic Burke
EDDIE JONES: HUGE QUESTION MARK OVER HUNT
WILL GENIA: HUNT AN OUTSTANDING SIGNING
No, there’s not enough time for him to adapt ...
By virtue of playing for an Australian Super Rugby franchise, Hunt will fulfil the ARU’s eligibility requirement to play for the Wallabies.
But there are countless on-field roadblocks standing in his way, not least of which is the lack of time – around nine months - he will have to familiarise himself with rugby ahead of the World Cup.
It’s also a shortened Rugby Championship ahead of the World Cup and there are no inbound Test tours in June, which means Hunt will have less time than usual to find his feet at Test level.
My esteemed colleague Dominic has alluded to Israel Folau’s amazing transition from fledgling Super Rugby player to bona fide Test star but he is something quite extraordinary.
Hunt would first have to regain some of the weight he’s lost to meet AFL’s aerobic demands, adapt to a game he hasn’t played in four years and then, if the belief he is being recruited by the Reds to play fullback, dislodge Folau from the custodian role.
Good luck.
What about outside-centre then I hear you ask? It’s conceivable, but in the likes of Tevita Kuridrani and Adam Ashley-Cooper you have two established campaigners who understand the challenges that come with defending at No.13.
And while Folau handled the pressure of the British and Irish Lions series, the World Cup is another level above that again – experience is everything.
The risk is too great, McKenzie should stick with the tried and tested in 2015.
- Sam Bruce
Originally published as Can Karmichael Hunt be a World Cup Wallaby? We debate for an against the cross-code superstar