The Waratahs finally unveiled the signing of controversial outcast Karmichael Hunt from the Queensland Reds on Monday, after months of speculation. The club confirmed the signing of the 32 year-old from the Reds via their website as a part of a player swap deal, in which fly-half Bryce Hegarty will join the Reds.
Hunt endured a rocky spell last year in Queensland as he was cast aside by Reds coach Brad Thorne after being caught with Xanax during a night out in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. He was then forced to play Brisbane Premier Rugby alongside fellow outcast Quade Cooper.
The 32 year-old also served a 4 game-ban and was fined $30,000 back in 2015 after being arrested for supplying cocaine alongside Titans Rugby League player Beau Fallon after an investigation on cocaine use on the Gold Coast.
Despite his colourful past though, NSW Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson is convinced that Hunt is a reformed character and deserves the “second chance” the Waratahs are giving him. He said:
“Karmichael has been very open and genuine with us about his off-field issues and his desires to turn things round, not only professionally but personally.”
Capped 6 times by the Wallabies in 2017, Hunt is a diverse player that can play in multiple positions and will provide the Waratahs with the much needed depth they need as well as that extra bit of quality. Gibson added:
“One of the findings out of 2018 season review is that we played our best players too much. Our strategy was that we needed to improve the depth of our squad and Karmichael helps us with that.”
During the announcement the full-back said that he was “excited” by the prospects of a fresh start in Sydney after spending most of his sporting career living in Queensland. He added:
“It means a lot that Daryl and the Waratahs have decided to give me another go, I’m ready to take this opportunity with both hands. I’m always the first to admit that I’ve made mistakes. But the time away from the sport has been the most important thing that has happened to me.”
