Hunt role model for O’Connor: Genia

Ever since watching him play for the Brisbane Broncos, Will Genia has been a big fan of Karmichael Hunt.

Now recovering Wallabies halfback Genia hopes the code-hopping Hunt becomes someone fellow new recruit James O’Connor looks up to at the Queensland Reds.

Genia would not confirm whether the Reds would officially announce O’Connor and Hunt as their key signings for 2015 at the Super Rugby club’s gala ball in Brisbane on Friday night.

But he certainly entertained the idea on Friday, saying Hunt would be an ideal role model for all Reds players – especially wayward Wallaby O’Connor.

Genia said they already had the leadership group to steer the once troubled O’Connor in the right direction but believed Hunt’s injection would prove invaluable.

“I think we have the leadership capabilities here to help him work through those issues,” he said of O’Connor, back from a French stint.

“But I think in his time away from Australia he has matured and grown as well.

“If someone like Karmichael comes along he can help as well.”

Genia on Friday sounded like the wide-eyed fan who first spied Hunt in Broncos colours when the code hopper was mentioned.

“I have never met him but I have heard a lot about him,” Genia said of Hunt who on Thursday announced he would end his four-year AFL stint with Gold Coast.

“I used to enjoy watching him as a little kid when he played for the Broncos.

“If he were to sign I would love to train and play alongside him – it would be awesome.

“He is obviously world renowned as a professional athlete.

“As a player he’s an unbelievable athlete, a great talent, much like Israel (Folau) in that sense.”

Meanwhile, Genia hoped to return from an ankle complaint on September 6 for Brisbane City in the new National Rugby Championship but sounded glad he missed the All Blacks’ recent 51-20 thumping of the Wallabies.

“It was frustrating the first one (12-12 draw in Sydney) because I thought it was there for the taking, but the second one what could you have done?” he said.

“That’s probably one of the best performances I have ever seen.”

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