Reds wait as Wallabies gauge Hunt’s worth
KARMICHAEL Hunt and the Reds are both eager to forge a new deal yet a fresh contract is on hold until the Wallabies work out his worth.
The Queensland Rugby Union paid the bulk of the $ 1.5 million- plus, three- year deal to hook the code- collector when a switch from AFL was hatched for the 2015 season.
Hunt’s form this year demands Wallabies’ selection for the first time against Fiji, Scotland and Italy next month.
It’s only then that Australian coach Michael Cheika will get a read on Hunt’s impact, versatility and whether he can still be a factor for the 2019 World Cup in Tokyo when 32.
All will weigh into how the ARU rates his value for a contract top- up.
The maths is simple … the more value fullback Hunt is to the Wallabies, the bigger slice they’ll pay of a new two- year deal and the more money the Reds will free up.
It makes perfect sense for the Reds to play the waiting game with Hunt content to stay in Brisbane and in this code.
“My body has had enough of the transitions,” Hunt said.
“I am pretty comfortable playing at 94kg and I’m loving my rugby.”
The curve ball is the flood of 30 or more players on to the market when the decision to axe the Western Force or Melbourne Rebels is made.
Fullback Dane HaylettPetty would be hot property for another club if the Force were chopped and he does have the booming boot that is missing from the Reds.