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Karmichael Hunt has let down Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, says Phil Waugh.

Karmichael Hunt has let down Michael Cheika and other rugby hierarchy who provided him a silver opportunity to keep alive his football career, according to Wallabies great Phil Waugh.

Waugh has expressed sympathy for the Queensland Reds back after he was stood down by Rugby Australia over his arrest and drug possession charge.

But the 79-test flanker believes it’s unlikely Hunt will ever play for the Wallabies again after coach Cheika gave him his debut last year, given it’s the second time in three years he’s faced drug-related charges.

“The sad thing is that Rugby Australia and Cheika and the Reds really stuck by Karmichael when they probably could have thrown him out the first time, although it happened before they actually took him on board,” Waugh told Fox Sports.

READ MORE:
* Hunt ‘inconsolable’ after drugs arrest
* Hunt suspended and fined
* Hunt won’t live down drugs bust

“They picked him in squads that perhaps people questioned whether he should have been in.

“He’s had opportunities that other players haven’t had. It’s just a wasted opportunity for such a talented athlete.

“There are so many other players who would just do anything to get this opportunity. And they watch instances like this and they go, ‘why would you throw it away?’

“This is just poor behaviour and a bad choice.”

Hunt was arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning, with police allegedly finding a white powder after searching the 31-year-old in a car park in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley at about 12.40am.

He was charged with two counts of drug possession and is set to face Brisbane Magistrates Court on January 29.

Rugby Australia is waiting for more detail on the allegations but agreed it was in all parties’ best interests Hunt, who was fined A$2500 after pleading guilty to four counts of drug possession in 2015, be stood down from training and playing.

Waugh was concerned about Hunt’s life after sport.

“I actually really genuinely feel for the guy because his last 12 months in rugby has been superb,” Waugh said.

“It’s just a sad story because the light at the end of the tunnel’s hard to see, the second time around, particularly because he’s come so far in the game in such a short period of time.

“People are talking about the financial impact as of today, but you’ve got to look at what the financial impact is post-career.

“You already know how difficult it is for players to transition out of professional sport to life after sport, and certainly these allegations don’t help.”

Hunt, a former NRL and AFL player who joined the Reds at the end of 2014 shortly before his previous run-in with the law, has represented Australia in six tests, earning a two-year contract extension in November.

 – AAP

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Update: Karmichael Hunt has been stood down from his training and playing commitments effective immediately and indefinitely after news broke that he was charged with drug possession on Saturday.

Rugby Australia statement 31/12/2017
Queensland Rugby Union, Rugby Australia and Karmichael Hunt have today agreed that it is in the best interests of all parties that Karmichael is stood down immediately from any team-related Rugby activities, including training and playing commitments.

The parties are awaiting information from the Queensland Police pertaining to the circumstances of the recent allegations before any next steps or return to Rugby activities will be contemplated.

Karmichael Hunt is cooperating fully with the Rugby Australia Integrity Unit and Queensland Rugby Union investigation and, given that this is an ongoing police matter, there will be no further comment from the parties.

Previous: Queensland Reds and Wallabies player Karmichael Hunt has been arrested in Brisbane and charged with drug possession.

Queensland police confirmed on Saturday morning that two men had been arrested in Fortitude Valley. Hunt was the only player involved in the incident.

“An incident involving Karmichael Hunt occurred which resulted in his arrest,” said Hunt’s lawyer, Adam Magill.

“At this stage no further instructions have been taken.

“There were two males involved and there has been a subsequent charge of possession. They have been charged conjointly.”

Hunt has been told to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on January 29.

He has previously been fined after pleading guilty to four charges of cocaine possession in 2015.

Rugby Australia released a brief statement regarding the incident on Saturday afternoon.

Rugby Australia statement 30/12/2017
Rugby Australia has today been made aware of an incident involving Wallabies and Queensland Reds back Karmichael Hunt in Brisbane overnight. It is understood Hunt was arrested and has subsequently been released by Queensland Police.

Rugby Australia takes all matters relating to the off-field behaviour of its players seriously and has commenced an investigation into the incident in conjunction with the Queensland Rugby Union.

No further comment will be made at this time.

GETTY IMAGES

Karmichael Hunt has let down Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, says Phil Waugh.

Karmichael Hunt has let down Michael Cheika and other rugby hierarchy who provided him a silver opportunity to keep alive his football career, according to Wallabies great Phil Waugh.

Waugh has expressed sympathy for the Queensland Reds back after he was stood down by Rugby Australia over his arrest and drug possession charge.

But the 79-test flanker believes it’s unlikely Hunt will ever play for the Wallabies again after coach Cheika gave him his debut last year, given it’s the second time in three years he’s faced drug-related charges.

“The sad thing is that Rugby Australia and Cheika and the Reds really stuck by Karmichael when they probably could have thrown him out the first time, although it happened before they actually took him on board,” Waugh told Fox Sports.

READ MORE:
* Hunt ‘inconsolable’ after drugs arrest
* Hunt suspended and fined
* Hunt won’t live down drugs bust

“They picked him in squads that perhaps people questioned whether he should have been in.

“He’s had opportunities that other players haven’t had. It’s just a wasted opportunity for such a talented athlete.

“There are so many other players who would just do anything to get this opportunity. And they watch instances like this and they go, ‘why would you throw it away?’

“This is just poor behaviour and a bad choice.”

Hunt was arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning, with police allegedly finding a white powder after searching the 31-year-old in a car park in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley at about 12.40am.

He was charged with two counts of drug possession and is set to face Brisbane Magistrates Court on January 29.

Rugby Australia is waiting for more detail on the allegations but agreed it was in all parties’ best interests Hunt, who was fined A$2500 after pleading guilty to four counts of drug possession in 2015, be stood down from training and playing.

Waugh was concerned about Hunt’s life after sport.

“I actually really genuinely feel for the guy because his last 12 months in rugby has been superb,” Waugh said.

“It’s just a sad story because the light at the end of the tunnel’s hard to see, the second time around, particularly because he’s come so far in the game in such a short period of time.

“People are talking about the financial impact as of today, but you’ve got to look at what the financial impact is post-career.

“You already know how difficult it is for players to transition out of professional sport to life after sport, and certainly these allegations don’t help.”

Hunt, a former NRL and AFL player who joined the Reds at the end of 2014 shortly before his previous run-in with the law, has represented Australia in six tests, earning a two-year contract extension in November.

 – AAP

DAN MULLAN/GETTY IMAGES

Karmichael Hunt at a training session in London last month on the Wallabies’ northern tour.

Wallabies and Queensland Reds player Karmichael Hunt is “inconsolable” after being charged with drug possession by Queensland police, according to his lawyer.

The 31-year-old Queensland Reds star was arrested and charged with two counts of drug possession and issued with a notice to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on January 29.

Hunt’s solicitor, Adam Magill, told Fairfax Media he had spoken to his client since the arrest and charges in Brisbane.

CHRIS HYDE/GETTY IMAGES

Karmichael Hunt in action for the Gold Coast Suns in an AFL match against Port Adelaide Power in 2012.

“He is very upset, as anyone would expect, and pretty much inconsolable,” Mr Magill said.

READ MORE:
* Hunt suspended and fined
* Hunt won’t live down drugs bust
* Wallabies opt away from Hunt
* Kerevi sees off Hunt challenge

“He is sticking with his family. He’s got concerns and his manager is taking care of him.”

Hunt and another man were walking along McLachlan Street in Fortitude Valley about 12.40am on Saturday when they were approached by officers during what a police spokesman described as “a random street stop”.

Mr Magill said police will allege officers found a bag of white powder on the ground between the two men, which it will be alleged was cocaine.

A 32-year-old man, who was with Hunt at the time, was also arrested and later charged with possessing an item used in a drug offence.

It’s not the first time Hunt has been in trouble for drug offences – he was fined in March 2015 after pleading guilty to four counts of possessing cocaine.

The former NRL and AFL player was one of several professional footballers to be caught up in a Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission investigation into a cocaine trafficking ring operating in the state’s south-east.

The investigation also led to several Gold Coast Titans players being charged for drug offences.

At the time, Hunt said he had made a “terrible mistake” and apologised for the distress he had caused to his family and friends.

The Australian Rugby Union (now Rugby Australia) fined Hunt $30,000 and suspended him for six weeks following the 2015 incident.

Hunt has shaken off the controversy to establish himself at the Reds, making his Wallabies debut this year and signing a two-year contract extension until 2019 with Rugby Australia in November.

“Rugby Australia has today been made aware of an incident involving Wallabies and Reds back Karmichael Hunt in Brisbane overnight,” the governing body said in a statement.

“Rugby Australia takes all matters relating to the off-field behaviour of its players seriously and has commenced an investigation into the incident in conjunction with the Queensland Rugby Union.”

Hunt’s professional sporting career has taken his across a number of codes, beginning in 2004, when he earned his NRL debut for the Brisbane Broncos – the youngest Bronco to do so as a 17-year-old.

Two years later he won an NRL premiership with the side, while being recognised at representative level with debuts for Queensland in State of Origin and Australia, winning the Tri-Nations title.

In 2008, Hunt became the youngest player in premiership history to play 100 first grade rugby league games. In September that year, Hunt and Broncos teammates Darius Boyd and Sam Thaiday were accused of sexual assault but police cleared them of the allegations in November.

The following year Hunt signed a deal reportedly worth more than $3 million to switch codes and joined the newly formed Gold Coast expansion AFL club. He played a six-month stint of professional rugby union in France before commencing his AFL contract.

After managing just 10 games in his final two seasons with the Suns, and after quiet years until that point, Hunt announced in 2014 he was leaving the sport to switch to rugby union, signing with the Reds.

He was appointed vice-captain of the Reds along with Rob Simmons in January 2015, but shortly thereafter faced a Gold Coast court where he pleaded guilty to four counts of possessing cocaine. 

Wallabies star Karmichael Hunt has been arrested and charged with drug possession after he was allegedly caught by police in Brisbane. 

The Australian rugby union player was arrested for cocaine possession in Fortitude Valley at 12:40am on Saturday, police say.

Hunt, 31, and another man have both been issued with notices to appear in court on January 29.

Wallabies star Karmichael Hunt (pictured) has been arrested and charged with drug possession

The Australian rugby union player (pictured) was arrested for cocaine possession in Fortitude Valley at 12:40am on Saturday, police say 

Another man, 32, was also charged for possession of an apparatus used in regards to a drug offence, the Daily Telegraph reports. 

The former NRL and AFL player, who made his Wallabies debut this year, was fined in March 2015 after pleading guilty to four charges of cocaine possession.

Hunt’s lawyer Adam Magill confirmed the Queensland Reds star had been arrested.

‘An incident involving Karmichael Hunt occurred which resulted in his arrest,’ he told the publication.

‘At this stage no further instructions have been taken.’

Hunt, 31, (pictured) and another man have both been issued with notices to appear in court on January 29

Rugby Australia released a statement on Saturday afternoon and confirmed the organisation of aware of Hunt’s arrest. 

‘Rugby Australia has today been made aware of an incident involving Wallabies and Queensland Reds back Karmichael Hunt in Brisbane overnight,’ the statement read.

‘It is understood Hunt was arrested and has subsequently been released by Queensland Police.

Rugby Australia takes all matters relating to the off-field behaviour of its players seriously and has commenced an investigation into the incident in conjunction with the Queensland Rugby Union. No further comment will be made at this time.’

Wallabies star and Queensland Reds back Karmichael Hunt has been charged with drug possession, after police allegedly caught him with what is believed to be cocaine.

Hunt’s lawyer Adam Magill said the 31-year-old was arrested in Brisbane along with another man on the side of the road on McLachlan Street in Fortitude Valley in the early hours of Saturday morning.

He has been charged with two counts of drug possession.

Hunt was granted watch-house bail at 4:00am Saturday and is due to appear in Brisbane’s Magistrates Court on January 29.

A 32-year-old man was also charged with one count of possessing an item used in a drug offence — believed to be a mobile phone — and will appear in court at a later date.

In a statement, Rugby Australia confirmed it was aware of the incident involving Hunt.

“It is understood Hunt was arrested and has subsequently been released by Queensland police,” the statement said.

“Rugby Australia takes all matters relating to the off-field behaviour of its players seriously and has commenced an investigation into the incident in conjunction with the Queensland Rugby Union.

“No further comment will be made at this time.”

In March 2015, Hunt was fined $2,500 after pleading guilty to four counts of cocaine possession and also fined $30,000 by rugby officials and suspended for six weeks.

Hunt was among seven Gold Coast Titans players charged over an alleged drugs ring uncovered by Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission.

Wallabies and Queensland Reds player Karmichael Hunt has been stood down from all contractual rugby obligations after he was charged with drug possession in Brisbane.

Hunt was arrested in the city’s Fortitude Valley early on Saturday morning after police allegedly caught the 31-year-old with what is believed to be cocaine.

“Queensland Rugby Union, Rugby Australia and Karmichael Hunt have today agreed that it is in the best interests of all parties that Karmichael is stood down immediately from any team-related rugby activities, including training and playing commitments,” QRU said in a statement.

“The parties are awaiting information from the Queensland Police pertaining to the circumstances of the recent allegations before any next steps or return to rugby activities will be contemplated.”

Hunt’s lawyer Adam Magill said the player was “devastated and very upset”.

“He is not in a good way emotionally” Mr Magill said.

“The penny is starting to drop and he is just coming to terms with what is in jeopardy.”

Hunt re-signed with the Queensland Reds last month for another two years.

Mr Magill said he could not give his client any advice as he had not yet seen a police summary of the facts.

“I am stuck between a rock and a hard place as I don’t know what the allegations are,” Mr Magill said.

Mr Magill said Hunt was trying deal with family issues on top of everything else.

In March 2015, Hunt was fined $2,500 after pleading guilty to four counts of cocaine possession and also fined $30,000 by rugby officials and suspended for six weeks.

Hunt was among seven Gold Coast Titans players charged over an alleged drugs ring uncovered by Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission.

Hunt is required to appear in Brisbane’s Magistrates Court on January 29.

Updated

December 31, 2017 00:30:54

Wallabies star and Queensland Reds back Karmichael Hunt has been charged with drug possession, after police allegedly caught him with what is believed to be cocaine.

Hunt’s lawyer Adam Magill said the 31-year-old was arrested in Brisbane along with another man on the side of the road on McLachlan Street in Fortitude Valley in the early hours of Saturday morning.

He has been charged with two counts of drug possession.

Hunt was granted watch-house bail at 4:00am Saturday and is due to appear in Brisbane’s Magistrates Court on January 29.

A 32-year-old man was also charged with one count of possessing an item used in a drug offence — believed to be a mobile phone — and will appear in court at a later date.

In a statement, Rugby Australia confirmed it was aware of the incident involving Hunt.

“It is understood Hunt was arrested and has subsequently been released by Queensland police,” the statement said.

“Rugby Australia takes all matters relating to the off-field behaviour of its players seriously and has commenced an investigation into the incident in conjunction with the Queensland Rugby Union.

“No further comment will be made at this time.”

In March 2015, Hunt was fined $2,500 after pleading guilty to four counts of cocaine possession and also fined $30,000 by rugby officials and suspended for six weeks.

Hunt was among seven Gold Coast Titans players charged over an alleged drugs ring uncovered by Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission.

Topics:

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crime,

law-crime-and-justice,

sport,

rugby-league,

rugby-union,

brisbane-4000,

qld,

australia,

fortitude-valley-4006

First posted

December 30, 2017 12:46:03

Wallabies star and Queensland Reds back Karmichael Hunt has been charged with drug possession, after police allegedly caught him with a white powder in Brisbane.

Hunt’s lawyer Adam Magill said the 31-year-old was arrested along with another man on the side of the road on McLachlan Street in Fortitude Valley in the early hours of this morning.

He has been charged with two counts of drug possession.

Hunt was granted watch-house bail at 4:00am and is due to appear in Brisbane’s Magistrates Court on January 29.

A 32-year-old man was also charged with one count of possessing an item used in a drug offence — believed to be a mobile phone — and will appear in court at a later date.

In a statement, Rugby Australia confirmed it was aware of the incident involving Hunt in Brisbane overnight.

“It is understood Hunt was arrested and has subsequently been released by Queensland police,” the statement said.

“Rugby Australia takes all matters relating to the off-field behaviour of its players seriously and has commenced an investigation into the incident in conjunction with the Queensland Rugby Union.

“No further comment will be made at this time.”

In March 2015, Hunt was fined $2,500 after pleading guilty to four counts of cocaine possession and also fined $30,000 by rugby officials and suspended for six weeks.

Hunt was among seven Gold Coast Titans players charged over an alleged drugs ring uncovered by Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission.

Footy star Karmichael Hunt has found himself at the centre of another drug-related scandal, having been allegedly busted with cocaine in Brisbane party district Fortitude Valley last night.

Queensland Police have confirmed that the Wallabies and Queensland Reds player was nicked along with a 32-year-old man on McLachlan St in the heart of the Valley, after cops noticed them acting suspiciously.

Hunt, who’s 31, has been charged with two counts of drug possession and will appear in court on January 29. The other guy has copped a charge of one count of possessing an item used in a drug offence (the item is believed to be a mobile phone), and will have his day in court at a later date.

Rugby Australia has released a weary statement acknowledging that yes, they are aware of what Hunt has been up to:

It is understood Hunt was arrested and has subsequently been released by Queensland police. Rugby Australia takes all matters relating to the off-field behaviour of its players seriously and has commenced an investigation into the incident in conjunction with the Queensland Rugby Union.

No further comment will be made at this time.

If all of this sounds familiar, it’s because Hunt was at the centre of a high-profile drug case back in 2015. After pleading guilty to four counts of cocaine possession, he was let off with a $2,500 fine. Rugby officials also fined him $30,000 and suspended him for six weeks. Meanwhile, he reportedly turned in fellow Gold Coast Titans players to the Crime and Corruption Commission in order to receive a lighter sentence.

Apparently that debacle hasn’t been enough to keep him off the nose beers though! Could we finally be seeing a change in the culture around sports players that allows them to get away with pretty much anything? I’m not holding my breath.

Source:
Courier Mail
Image:
Getty Images / Dan Mullan