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Trailblazer: Hunt is following
the footsteps of Mark Gasnier
Photo: Michael Paler |
Australian rugby league sensation Karmichael Hunt has
confirmed that he is joining Top 14 side Biarritz on a
short-term contract.
The
Brisbane Broncos star flew into France this weekend after
finalising the deal, reputedly worth $AUS 300,000 for six
months, and following confirmation that winger Jean-Baptiste
Gobelet will be out until March after shoulder surgery.
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For Hunt
it is the second step of a remarkable and unprecedented
treble that will see him play top grade rugby league (for
Brisbane Broncos), rugby union (for Biarritz) and Australian
rules football (for AFL outfit Gold Coast) within a 12 month
period.
The New
Zealand-born 22-year-old has already represented the
Kangaroos but comes to France utilizing his Cook Islands
citizenship, thereby falling under the umbrella of an
‘emerging nations player’ and not counting as an overseas
import.
In
leaving Australia for France he follows in the footsteps of
other former NRL stars such as Mark Gasnier (Stade
Francais), Sonny Bill Williams (Toulon) and Craig Gower (at
nearby Bayonne).
Hunt –
known as ‘Special K’ - hasn’t played union since he was a
schoolboy, when he flourished in the full-back position. “It
has been a little while since I played any rugby, but I am
not too worried about that,” he said before departing
Australia.
“I think
I will be fine. In terms of mindset and preparation, not
much changes from what I have been doing the past six years
in Brisbane. Obviously they are different games and there is
different rules and tactics, but I think that will come back
pretty quickly once I start training with the team and
getting my head around how they play and what the coaching
staff will want from me,” he told The Australian.
Hunt’s signing is another major coup for both
Biarritz and France. He joins a side currently flying high
in Top 14 on the back of five successive league wins, and
with genuine aspirations of lifting this year’s Heineken
Cup.
The
State of Origin player said he had already been in contact
with Gower for advice and said he was looking forward to
hooking up with Williams too. “We actually play Toulon a few
weeks after I arrive so hopefully I will get to catch up
with Sonny afterwards,” he added.
Hunt
said one of the attractions of the deal was the
possibilities for travel that it opened up. “I have
obviously been to England but I have never been to mainland
Europe, so I am really looking forward to it,” he said. “I
have said a number of times in the past that I was desperate
to do some travelling, to get out and see the world. I am at
the right age and the right place to experience that, so we
will definitely be making the most of this opportunity,” he
added.
