Hunt avoids cocaine conviction
Rugby Australia (RA) are set to declare if Karmichael Hunt has a future in the sport.
The former rugby league and rugby union international escaped conviction, yesterday, for drug possession, after he was arrested in Brisbane in December.
Hunt, 31, is contracted to the Reds Super Rugby franchise for another two years, but hasn’t trained with the side since his arrest for suspected cocaine possession.
Prosecutors ultimately dropped the cocaine charge against Hunt in court yesterday – after he pleaded guilty to possessing alprazolam and to contravening a police direction after failing to attend a police station when required to give fingerprints – meaning he could travel with the Reds or Wallabies if selected again.
That’s if RA don’t terminate his contract, on the grounds of bringing the game into disrepute.
A former Brisbane Broncos and Queensland rugby league star, Hunt later played AFL for the Gold Coast Suns. Upon signing with the Reds the utility back was arrested on four counts of cocaine supply charges. Hunt pleaded guilty and was fined.
He then made his Wallaby debut last year, playing three tests and signing a contract extension in November.
Hunt has also been fined for this latest indiscretion but was warned by magistrate Barry Cosgrove that he had to be beyond reproach from here on.
RA are now expected to issue a statement about yesterday’s outcome.