‘The Australian’ is reporting Gold Coast Suns player Karmichael Hunt will return to rugby union.
Karmichael Hunt will play Super Rugby for the Queensland Reds next season, joining from AFL club Gold Coast Suns, according to The Australian.
Hunt has had a stint in rugby union previously, playing for French Top 14 side Biarritz in-between stints with NRL club Brisbane Broncos and AFL’s Gold Coast Suns.
While there has been no official announcement of the deal, The Australian reports that is an “open secret” and a “done deal”.
The paper also reports the deal offered to Hunt is in-between $600,000 to $700,000.
Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie said he was unaware of the deal, but confirmed to The Australian the ARU was not involved in negotiations.
“He has obviously played multiple sports and been successful, which suggests he is a good sportsperson,” said McKenzie.
“From memory he has played rugby at schoolboy level and has also played it in Top 14. He has played it a couple of times in his career. It’s not like he hasn’t got any instincts for the game. I think Biarritz did pretty well in the time he was there. He’s got instincts that suggest he could make the transition, albeit he is an older guy.
“Most of the issues come from whether there is any understanding of how the game functions and the later you leave that as a player and try to develop those instincts the harder it is.
“Izzy is a young guy. He has made the transition. Where his mind is and his patterns of play aren’t ingrained because he hasn’t been doing it for so long. He is more malleable and willing to learn and be re-coached and redefined. The fact that Hunt has got some background may make that transition easier.
“I’ve been involved with all of them so they have all made different transitions. Gasnier made a good transition at the same age. Benji Marshall didn’t go so well. It depends on the individual and how they think and how coach¬able they are.”
The Reds are looking to rebuild following a disappointing season where they finished 13th on the ladder with just five wins.
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