The last time Karmichael Hunt was in Cairns, he was the feel-good story of Australian sport.
The stakes aren’t quite as high this time around, but the interest levels will be about the same as the cross-code superstar plays for the Queensland Reds jersey for the first time.
Two years on from his after-the-siren winning goal for the Gold Coast Suns at Cazalys Stadium, Hunt will be around the corner at Barlow Park on Saturday in his first Super Rugby pre-season clash with the Melbourne Rebels.
“I’ve got some pretty good memories up there,” Hunt said.
“It’ll be interesting to go back up there again and play some rugby.
“The weather’s probably not going to be too kind but it’ll make for an entertaining game whether it’s a high-scoring game or a lot of mistakes and a close result in the end. It’s going to be fun.”
Hunt has performed so well on the training paddock with the Reds since calling time on his AFL career that coach Richard Graham has installed him as vice-captain before having even played a practice match.
The 30-year-old, who had a stint with Biarritz in the French Top 14 just before joining the Suns from rugby league, is delighted with his progress but admitted that exposure to a live game situation will shine a light on how far he’s come in his transition to a third professional code.
“The only nerves I’ve got is trying to find a polling booth when I get up there to vote so I don’t get in trouble,” Hunt said, referring to Saturday’s Queensland state election.
“The way I’ve been training, I feel pretty confident going into the game.
“I haven’t played a game of rugby in a long time, so I’m looking forward to getting out there, just getting a feel for the pace of the game.
“It’s a trial match, we’ll be making some mistakes – myself included.
“There’s going to be some match fitness to gain, some awareness and in-game things that you can’t get at training.”
The Reds have named a weakened line-up for their first outing of the pre-season, with 10 players – including Hunt’s fellow marquee recruit James O’Connor – sidelined due to injury or recent surgery.
Hunt said he had battled gastro during the week, which he estimated has stripped two or three kilograms off his playing weight of 91kg – putting him at about the same weight as in his AFL days, but around 10kg lighter than when he last played union.
“Richard and the coaching staff aren’t too worried about my weight to be honest,” he said.
“They say my strength’s there, my pace is there, my fitness. As long as I can be effective, that’s all that really matters at the end of the day.”
