Hunt to make quick rugby impact: Folau

Israel Folau has predicted code-hopping comrade Karmichael Hunt will be an immediate hit at the Queensland Reds in 2015.

But Folau isn’t losing any sleep about a new high-profile challenger to his Wallabies No.15 jersey at next year’s World Cup.

The pair shared State of Origin triumphs together for Queensland and were also Brisbane Broncos teammates in 2009 before Hunt crossed codes to French rugby then AFL with the Gold Coast Suns.

While two years older, and without any rugby experience in more than four years, Hunt will have little trouble making an impact in his Super Rugby debut season, according to Folau.

The Wallabies and Waratahs superstar said he would thrive outside Will Genia and Quade Cooper in the Reds backline.

“K’s a very talented athlete and I think he’ll transition well at the Reds with the players they’ve got around him,” he said.

“He had that little stint in Biarritz so it’s nothing new for him, he’s had bit more a background in rugby than I did, so he’ll do well.”

Although Hunt has played down ambitions of wearing the gold jersey, playmaker Cooper is confident the powerful and reliable 27-year-old won’t take long to become a dual international.

However Folau, looking to return to his line-breaking best against the Springboks in Cape Town on the weekend, says any prospect of a positional duel is the furthest thing from his mind.

“I wish him all the best and they say he’s playing fullback for the Reds, I hope he goes really well and whatever happens next year would be good for the (Wallabies), so I’m happy for the team,” he said.

Folau has been linked to a high-paying contract in Toulon after the 2015 World Cup but he, once again, stressed there will be no decision on his future until next year.

“I’m pretty happy and content with where I am,” he said. “I still have one more year so it’s a long time to get something sealed up.

“There’s still a year of footy to go and things change in that time.”

A Test rookie just last year, Folau has quickly become a senior statesman in the Wallabies injury-hit outfit – running on as their most-capped back (22 Tests) against Argentina on the Gold Coast.

While continuing to be a major headache out wide for rivals and under the high ball, he’s been relatively well contained in the Rugby Championship.

Certainly, the Springboks have kept him in check far better than South Africa’s sides do in Super Rugby, and Folau is determined to make up for last year’s 28-8 thumping at Newlands.

“It hurt a lot for the team and me personally and you can draw a bit of motivation off that going into this game,” he said.

“I’m always looking to improve and playing here is exciting so hopefully I can go out there and just play the game I know I can play.”

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