Super Rugby AU: Karmichael Hunt injury a huge blow to Waratahs

In a battle that shapes as evenly balanced as the Brumbies v NSW, even little things can make a difference.

Karmichael Hunt has been ruled out of the Waratahs squad for Brumbies clash because of a hamstring strain. Picture: Getty Images

In a battle that shapes as evenly balanced as this one, Brumbies against Waratahs at GIO Stadium on Saturday night, even little things can make a difference. As it happens, the late loss of former Test centre Karmichael Hunt is bordering on a major catastrophe for New South Wales.

Hunt was on Friday ruled out of the side because of a hamstring strain, the full extent of which won’t become known until he has a scan on Monday.

The expectation is that it is only a low-grade injury and one that will allow him to return before the play-offs start on September 12 but, as Waratahs captain Rob Simmons admitted if the side loses this game, their fate will no longer be entirely in their own hands.

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The Tahs have covered Hunt well, moving former Australian Under-20 representative Joey Walton into the inside centre position while Lalakai Foketi comes back into the side in the No.13 jersey. Rio sevens Olympian Nic Malouf has been added to the reserves and could well find himself playing for a 2021 contract if he comes off the bench. Yet, for all their impressive credentials, they lack what Hunt can deliver.

He made a delayed start to the Super Rugby AU competition but since his return it has been evident the calming influence he brings to the Waratahs backline and especially to playmaker Will Harrison. Hunt has taken on much of the tactical kicking and may be the nearest thing to a 50-22 expert that the competition has yet unearthed. But, in company with experienced halfback Jake Gordon, he has provided Harrison with a sounding board and the 21-year-old five-eighth’s play is flourishing as a result.

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar came in for some playful ribbing for his apparent mind games in suggesting that the Waratahs were back.

“They’ve won two games in a row, so they’re world-beaters again and full of confidence, according to most,” said McKellar.

McKellar delivers all his comments with a poker face so it was easy enough to suppose he was laughing behind his glasses. What no-one seems to have considered, however, is that he may have been only speaking the truth, as far as Waratahs fans and the Sydney media are concerned. They can be ferociously critical, both groups, but it also takes very little to win them over and there is enough evidence, at least in McKellar’s eyes, to see that support translating into an even more determined Tahs performance. The Brumbies coach may well have been teasing his audience with the “world-beaters” tag but he would fully expect the NSW side to come out full of confidence.

Meanwhile his captain Allan Alaalatoa was channelling Bill Murray’s character in Groundhog Day, twice observing that “change is good” as he fronted the media following the announcement of 16 alterations to the Canberra side.

True, Phil Connors desperately wanted things to change while Alaalatoa would like nothing more than for everything to remain exactly the same and for the Brumbies to emerge on Sunday in the same position they occupy today, No 1 on the ladder.

But while the side he will lead might not have the likes of Scott Sio, Joe Powell or Tevita Kuridrani in the starting side, or even in the squad, but there is no denying that it is a team to beat the Waratahs. The backrow combination of Pete Samu, Will Miller and Lachie McCaffrey is experienced enough to negate the Tahs’ primary strength, their loose forwards trio of Jack Dempsey, Michael Hooper and Lachie Swinton.

And veteran lock Cadeyrn Neville, recently boosted by his selection in the PONI (Players of National Interest) squad, looms as a weighty counterbalance to NSW captain Rob Simmons in the lineouts.

On the Brumbies side, meanwhile, Tom Banks needs a solid performance at fullback to reactivate his early-season siege of the gold No 15 jersey. His NSW rival Jack Maddocks is a rocks-or-diamonds style of player but lately he has been mining the mother lode.

Perhaps if Banks can unleash a backline entry similar to the one that carved the Tahs wide open when last they ventured to Canberra, back in March, it would do his campaign no harm at all.

And while on the subject of determined charges at Wallabies selection, there will be much on the line when the Brumbies’ Tom Wright marks up against the Tahs’ in-form winger James Ramm.

They are among the most exciting players in the competition, Wright a genuine line-breaker, Ramm a more damaging runner, and certainly they will both be aware there is a wing berth wide open in the Test side.