Karmichael Hunt will start at five-eighth for the Queensland Reds in Friday night’s Super Rugby trial against the Crusaders after a change of heart from coach Richard Graham.
The No.10 jersey has been a bugbear for Graham since losing Quade Cooper to a collarbone injury, and until now – at least publicly – he has been keen to ease Hunt back into rugby union by keeping him at fullback.
But the disappointing performance of rookie playmaker Duncan Paia’aua in Cairns on Saturday night against the Melbourne Rebels appears to have forced his hand.
A former under-20s player at the Brisbane Broncos, Paia’aua was thrown into the deep end and made a number of handling errors, albeit in tough conditions on a steamy far north Queensland night.
“I’m using these pre-season matches as an opportunity to assess all our options at flyhalf,” Graham said.
“We’re a week out from Super Rugby and I wouldn’t be preparing the team the best I could if I didn’t look deeply at our flyhalf options for round one.
“Duncan had a tough night against the Rebels in Cairns last week, but there were also plenty of positives.
“He will get another opportunity this week from the reserves bench.”
Earlier this week, Hunt publicly volunteered to assume the flyhalf hotseat.
“I feel I could handle most things put in front of me. If it’s the best thing for the team I’d take that responsibility,” Hunt said.
“I’ve set up play on the edge in one of my past lives as a footballer and did some ball play at the Brisbane Broncos as well.”
Hunt has trained at No.10 this week and has clearly done enough to convince Graham that he is his best option.
“(Karmichael) deserves the chance against the Crusaders,” he said.
“He has settled into our framework well and is an influential member of the group.”
Reserve half Nick Frisby was also given a short run at No.10 in Cairns.
Queensland’s other flyhalf possibility is recruit James O’Connor, but he has been unsighted at training this week due to illness.
It’s unclear if he will be considered for selection in the Reds’ full squad for the Crusaders trial match, which will be announced on Thursday morning.
