Karmichael Hunt

Infobox rugby league biography
playername = Karmichael Hunt

|center|Karmichael Hunt 2004
fullname = Karmichael Hunt
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1986|11|17|df=yes
placeofbirth = Auckland
countryofbirth = New Zealand
height = convert|186|cm|ftin|abbr=on
weight = convert|90|kg|stlb|abbr=on
nickname = 'K', 'Special K', Kamikaze
position = rlp|FB
club1 = leagueicon|Brisbane Broncos|16 Brisbane Broncos
year1start = 2004
year1end = present
appearances1 = 102
tries1 = 42
goals1 = 0
fieldgoals1 = 1
points1 = 169
teamA = leagueicon|Australian Kangaroos|16 Australia
yearAstart = 2006
yearAend = present
appearancesA = 7
triesA = 4
goalsA = 0
fieldgoalsA = 0
pointsA = 16
teamB = leagueicon|Queensland Maroons|16 Queensland
yearBstart = 2006
yearBend = present
appearancesB = 7
triesB = 0
goalsB = 0
fieldgoalsB = 0
pointsB = 0
updated = 6 October 2008
source = [http://203.166.101.37/NRL08/playercareer.asp?lplayer=990105 NRL Stats] and [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/players/Karmichael_Hunt.html Rugby League Project]

Karmichael Hunt (born 17 November 1986 in Auckland, New Zealand)cite web|title=Players (Karmichael Hunt)|url=http://broncos.com.au/index.php?page_id=individual_player&player_id=84&team_id=1|accessdate=2008-03-29|publisher="Brisbane Broncos"] is a professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos in the Australian National Rugby League (NRL) competition. Hunt primarily plays in the fullback position, but has also played on the wing and the five-eighth and halfback positions. Hunt has played in the NRL for Brisbane since 2004, and was part of the Broncos' competition-winning team in 2006. He has represented the Queensland Maroons in the State of Origin series and the Australian Kangaroos at international level.

Hunt made his NRL debut in 2004 and played every game that season, winning the Dally M Rookie of the Year award. In a controversial move, Hunt chose to play for Australia instead of his native New Zealand, citing a lifelong dream of playing for Queensland in State of Origin. [cite news|publisher="ABC News"|title=Hunt set to fulfil Origin dream|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200606/s1656348.htm|accessdate=2007-07-05|date=2006-06-06] After a downturn in 2005, Hunt's 2006 performances resulted in his selection for Queensland and Australia.

Early life

Hunt was born on 17 November 1986 in Auckland, New Zealand, to Hans and Tera Hunt, from the Cook Islands and Samoa respectively. He began playing rugby league at the age of four for the Avondale Wolves and when he was eleven, the family moved to the suburb of Algester in Brisbane, Australia.cite news | format=Fee required | title=Meet the parents | url=http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/BLG/2004/get.jsp?docid=BLG-20040429-1-066-K240550@NAT-NEWS-2004-2003 | accessdate=2007-05-30 | date=2004-04-29 | publisher="Big League Magazine" | first=Ben | last=Blaschke ] cite news | publisher="The Sunday Mail" | first=Robert | last=Rachow | url=http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/SML/2004/get.jsp?docid=SML-20040307-2-143-4020748V15@QLD-METRO-2004-2003 | format=Fee required | title=Broncos unearth a treasure Hunt | date=2004-03-07 | accessdate=2007-07-12 ] Upon moving to Brisbane, Hunt played junior rugby league for the Souths club in Acacia Ridge. cite web | title=Brisbane Broncos - Players - Karmichael Hunt | url=http://www.broncos.com.au/index.cfm?TopMenuID=266&MenuID=277&CompetitorID=825 | accessdate=2008-03-21 | publisher="Brisbane Broncos"] Hunt's childhood hero was Michael Jordan and, prior to his rugby league success, he dreamt of playing basketball in the United States.

In 2000, Hunt made his representative debut with the Under-14 South–East team of the Queensland Rugby League (QRL), in the fullback position. In 2001, he became part of the Under-15 Australian merit side, and, upon seeing him play rugby league, NRL club Brisbane Broncos scout Cyril Connell offered him a |format=Fee required|first=Mike|last=Coleman|accessdate=2007-06-10]

At ACGS, Hunt switched to rugby union and was a dominant figure in the school's team, which played in the Queensland Great Public Schools (GPS) competition.cite web |title=SportingPulse Homepage for Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League |url=http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=7-2130-0-0-0&sID=26424 |accessdate=2007-05-12 | publisher="SportingPulse"] [cite news | publisher="The Courier-Mail" | format=Fee required | url=http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/CML/2006/get.jsp?docid=CML-20060522-1-066-4003607V26@QLD-METRO-2006-2005 | title=Schoolboy talent bolsters Reds' stocks | date=2006-05-22 | accessdate=2007-06-04 | first=Jim | last=Tucker ] As a fullback, he led his team to an undefeated season in 2003, and he was one of the best players in the GPS competition. [cite news | publisher="The Sunday Mail (QLD)" | title=Pair share GPS title | first=Nick | last=Brown | url=http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/SML/2003/get.jsp?docid=SML-20030803-G-125-4081784V11@QLD-METRO-2004-2003 | format=Fee required | date=2003-08-03 | accessdate=2007-06-04 ] While playing rugby union at ACGS, Hunt also played for the Queensland Schoolboys rugby league team against New South Wales, in the position of lock. Along with Anton LaVin, he won the Bob Templeton Trophy for Queensland’s leading schoolboy player.cite news| publisher="Rugby Heaven - The Sydney Morning Herald" | first=Andrew | last=Webster | url=http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2005/08/21/1124562740868.html | title=LaVin sees code switch as big move | date=2005-08-21 | accessdate=2007-06-04 ]

In 2003, Hunt was selected for the Australian Schoolboys rugby league representative team to tour New Zealand, playing three matches under coach Rod Patison.cite web|title=2003 - New Zealand|url=http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=7-2130-0-0-0&sID=26426&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=82556&sectionID=26426|accessdate=2007-06-05|publisher="SportingPulse"] Hunt scored a try in each game and was named best back of the series.cite news|format=Fee required|title=Record for young Bronco - Hunt to make debut at 17 |first=Steve|last=Ricketts|date=2004-03-12|url=http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/CML/2004/get.jsp?docid=CML-20040312-F-003-4148150V24@QLD-METRO-2004-2003|accessdate=2007-06-06|publisher="The Courier-Mail"] Australian Schoolboys' coaching staff predicted that Hunt was the most likely Australian schoolboy to make a debut in the NRL.

In mid 2003, Craig Young, a recruitment officer for NRL club St. George Illawarra Dragons, saw Hunt play in a schoolboy competition. Young told St. George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown that they should sign him at any cost. Young offered Hunt $80,000 to play for the Wollongong-based Dragons. Despite Young's enthusiasm, Brown hesitated to sign Hunt, unsure whether the club could find a place for him on the team and Hunt continued his scholarship with the Brisbane Broncos. [cite news | publisher="The Sunday Mail" | title=Rookie may be a remarkable talent, but Bennett warns he's . . . Not in Hunt yet for Origin | url=http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/SML/2004/get.jsp?docid=SML-20040530-2-138-4012999V21@QLD-METRO-2004-2003 | date=2004-05-30 | accessdate=2007-07-16 | first=Greg | last=Davis | format=Fee required]

Brisbane Broncos

Debut season

Hunt's 2001 scholarship came to fruition when he joined the Brisbane Broncos’ main squad at the end of the 2003 season. He participated in the team's off-season training in early 2004, under the guidance of Broncos' coach Wayne Bennett, and was selected to participate in the Broncos' pre-season trial games in February. Hunt had expected to play most of the 2004 season in the Queensland Cup, the second-tier rugby league competition in Queensland.cite news | first=Dan | last=Koch | title=Hunt out of Origin calculations | date=2004-04-26 | url=http://www.broncos.com.au/index.cfm?TopMenuID=266&MenuID=410&NewsID=823 | accessdate=2007-06-05 | publisher="Brisbane Broncos News" |quote=I didn't even consider playing Broncos this year, I thought I would play at Toowoomba.] However, after playing both trial games on the wing and scoring a try in the first game against the Melbourne Storm, [cite web|title=Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm (2004 Trial Match) | url=http://www.broncos.com.au/index.cfm?TopMenuID=266&MenuID=274&tShow=MatchPanel&GameID=2139&DisplayTypeID=1 | accessdate=2007-06-02 | publisher="Brisbane Broncos"] Hunt was selected to make his National Rugby League (NRL) debut for the Broncos in the first round of the 2004 season against the New Zealand Warriors, making him the youngest ever Bronco at seventeen. cite news | title=Hunt set to become youngest Bronco| url=http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/s1062170.htm | date=2004-03-09 |accessdate=2007-07-13 |publisher="ABC News" ] Coach Bennett's decision to name Hunt as the starting fullback was somewhat surprising, due to Hunt’s original selection, the week before the match, on the interchange bench. He replaced Motu Tony in the fullback position. [cite news | title=Brisbane name new look side | url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411317/416819 | publisher="TVNZ" | date=2004-03-04 | accessdate=2007-05-13 ]

where he can make a mistake and kiss it off and just get on with the game, It's a wonderful quality to have and you'd like every player to have it. A lot of guys dwell on mistakes and it stays with them too long."

Hunt drew criticism for his style of returning the football; upon receiving the ball, he would run straight at opposition players rather than attempting to evade them. As a result, he received several high tackles, causing the Broncos to ask the NRL to protect Hunt by punishing opposition players more severely. [cite news | publisher="ABC News" | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2004/07/19/1157070.htm | title=Stop the head Hunt | date=2004-07-19 | accessdate=2007-07-13 ] The referees' board supported this position, and stated that fullbacks such as Hunt needed to be protected due to greater risk of injury. [cite news | publisher="The Daily Telegraph" | url=http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/DTM/2004/get.jsp?docid=DTM-20040722-1-076-4270984V13@NSW-METRO-2004-2003 | title=Mum fears for teen star Hunt's future | first=Michael | last=Crutcher | date=2004-06-22 | accessdate=2007-07-16 ]

The performance of the 2004 NRL rookies, including Hunt, had been much anticipated. After a few games, his peers and the media singled Hunt out as the next superstar of the game. [cite news | title=New faces sure to be a hit with the fans - NRL 2004: 1 DAY TO GO | publisher="The Daily Telegraph"|date=2004-03-11|first=Dean|last=Ritchie|url=http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/DTM/2004/get.jsp?docid=DTM-20040311-1-074-4281895V6@NSW-METRO-2004-2003|format=Fee required|accessdate=2007-06-09] [cite news | title=League's teen freak living in dream world | url=http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/STE/2004/get.jsp?docid=STE-20040627-1-065-4199067V1@NSW-METRO-2004-2003 | publisher="The Sunday Telegraph" | date=2004-06-24 | accessdate=2007-06-03 | format=Fee required ] [cite news|publisher="The Sunday Mail"|format=Fee required|first=Greg|last=David|title=He's going to be an absolute super-star - In an interview, Tallis anoints Hunt the next Broncos big gun|url=http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/SML/2005/get.jsp?docid=SML-20050130-2-098-4175336V21@QLD-METRO-2006-2005|date=2005-01-30|accessdate=2007-06-05] To minimise the impact of excessive media pressure on Hunt’s performance, Bennett banned him from speaking to the media. [cite news|publisher="Highbeam Research and AAP Sports News"|title=Hunt coming of age|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-110166144.html|format=Fee required|date=2005-06-19|accessdate=2007-06-05] Hunt scored four tries in the Round 17 clash with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, equalling the team record.cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/04/1088879368270.html|date=2004-07-04|accessdate=2007-06-05|title=Hunt matches Broncos try record|publisher="The Age"] His form earned him the Brisbane Broncos and Dally M Rookie of the Year awards.cite news | title=Buderus named Dally M Player of the Year |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/09/07/1094530617162.html | date=2004-09-07 |accessdate=2007-06-16 |publisher="The Age" ] cite news | title=Big Petero takes out award as top Bronco | url=http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/CML/2004/get.jsp?docid=CML-20041008-G-006-4200532V3@QLD-METRO-2004-2003 | date=2004-10-08 |accessdate=2007-07-16 |publisher="The Courier-Mail" | first=Steve | format=Fee required | last=Ricketts ]

2005

At the end of 2004, Hunt signed a contract with the Broncos for an additional two years, with the intention of staying at the club for the rest of his career.cite news | title=Broncos re-sign Lockyer, Hunt | url=http://www.abc.net.au/brisbane/news/200409/s1193288.htm | date=2004-09-06 | accessdate=2007-05-13 | publisher="ABC Brisbane" ] On re-signing, Hunt stated, "I look around and see guys like Webbie and Locky who have been here for their entire careers, and it's something I would like to do. If I can, I want to be a one-club player too. Playing footy is not just about 80 minutes out on the field every week. For me it is a career and I want to be happy where I am, satisfied that my game is progressing and that I am learning all the time to be a better player." [ cite news | title=Karmichael Hunt re-signs | url=http://www.broncos.com.au/index.cfm?TopMenuID=266&MenuID=296&NewsID=2861 | date=2006-06-29 |accessdate=2007-04-28 |publisher="Brisbane Broncos News"|quote=I look around ... to be a better player.]

Bennett advised Hunt to have fun and enjoy himself like any other teenager, so that it would not affect his second year in first-grade rugby league.cite news | publisher="The Sunday Telegraph" | format=Fee required | url=http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/STE/2005/get.jsp?docid=STE-20050130-1-057-4199705V1@NSW-METRO-2006-2005 | title=Hunt told to go act his age | date=2005-01-30 | first=Greg | last=David | accessdate=2007-06-04 ] However, Hunt's second season was not considered as successful as his first, [cite news | url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Bennett-says-Hunt-off-the-boils/2005/04/01/1112302228587.html | publisher="The Age" | date=2005-04-01 | accessdate=2007-05-14 | title=Bennett says Hunt 'off the boil' ] despite his only missing one game, a situation that the media labelled "Karmichael's second-year syndrome". [cite news | first=Trad | last=McLean | title=Don't think, kid Bennett tells hot Hunt to run with his instincts | format=Fee Required | date=2004-12-08 | accessdate=2007-05-14 | publisher="The Gold Coast Bulletin" | url=http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/GCB/2004/get.jsp?docid=GCB-20041208-B-091-4059150V15@QLD-GCB-2004-2003 ] Hunt was retained in the fullback position despite his perceived lack of form, which included fewer tries and fewer kick returns than in his debut season. [cite web|publisher="NRL Stats"|title=Karmichael Hunt at NRL Stats|url=http://www.nrlstats.com/archive/players.cfm?PlayerID=706|accessdate=2007-06-26] [cite web|title=Karmichael Hunt at Rleague|url=http://www.rleague.com/db/player/h/hunt_karmichael/index.php|publisher="Rleague"|accessdate=2007-06-24]

Hunt scored a try in each of the first two games of the season.cite web|publisher="NRL Stats"|url=http://www.nrlstats.com/archive/players.cfm?PlayerID=706&ClubSeasonID=3953|title=Karmichael Hunt - Brisbane - Season 2005|accessdate=2007-10-15] In Round 6, he was knocked unconscious by a high tackle from a St George Illawarra Dragons player, Shaun Timmins. The following week, still suffering from the effects of concussion, he missed his first NRL game since his debut.cite news | publisher="ABC News" | title=Broncos welcome back key trio | date=2005-04-26 | accessdate=2007-07-17 | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2005/04/26/1353934.htm ] Hunt returned a week later and scored a try in each of the next three games. However, he only scored three more tries in the remaining sixteen weeks of the season. Hunt was a part of the junior Australian representative team at the end of the 2005 season, but was not considered for the game against Papua New Guinea for personal reasons. [cite news| publisher="The Age" | url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Inglis-added-to-Junior-Kangaroos-squad/2005/09/23/1126982224271.html | title=Inglis added to Junior Kangaroos squad | date=2005-09-23 | accessdate=2007-07-16 ] [cite news| publisher="Brisbane Broncos News" | url=http://www.broncos.com.au/index.cfm?TopMenuID=266&MenuID=410&NewsID=2417 | title=Junior wingers to play PNG | first=Scott | last=Dickson | date=2005-10-04 | accessdate=2007-06-04 ]

2006

Prior to the 2006 National Rugby League season, Wayne Bennett, backed by former Broncos halfback Allan Langer, groomed Hunt as a key play-maker, able to steer the play from the halfback position, with the intention of taking pressure off Darren Lockyer and then-halfback, Brett Seymour. [cite news | format=Fee required | publisher="The Sunday Mail" | url=http://www.broncos.com.au/index.cfm?TopMenuID=266&MenuID=410&NewsID=2520 | title=Hunting for bigger ball-playing role | first=Greg | last=David | date=2006-01-15 | accessdate=2007-07-13 ] [cite news | publisher="The Daily Telegraph" | format=Fee required | url=http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/DTM/2006/get.jsp?docid=DTM-20060208-1-085-4288742V11@NSW-METRO-2006-2005 | title=BRONCOS - Langer backs halfback Hunt | date=2006-02-08 | accessdate=2007-07-16 ] In a trial match against the North Queensland Cowboys, Hunt played in the halfback position but he chose to return to fullback for the opening NRL game.cite news|publisher="The Gold Coast Bulletin"|url=http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/GCB/2006/get.jsp?docid=GCB-20060213-B-023-4008822V28@QLD-GCB-2006-2005|format=Fee required|title=Hunt stars at half But it won't be permanent, says Bennett|first=Trad|last=McLean|date=2006-02-13|accessdate=2007-07-16] [cite news|publisher="The Courier-Mail"|first=Mick|last=Daly|title=Hunt excited about returning to fullback against Cowboys|url=http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/CML/2006/get.jsp?docid=CML-20060302-1-043-4029481V32@QLD-METRO-2006-2005|date=2006-03-02|accessdate=2007-07-13|format=Fee required] Hunt scored two tries against the Canberra Raiders in Round 8 of the competition, following this performance with another two tries against Manly in Round 10.cite web | publisher="Rleague" | title=Rugby League Tables / Karmichael Hunt | accessdate=2007-10-17 | url=http://stats.rleague.com/rl/scorers/players/Karmichael_Hunt.html]

Hunt sustained a foot injury in the Broncos Round 15 match and was sidelined for eight weeks.cite news | title=Hunt sidelined for eight weeks |url=http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200606/s1665408.htm| date=2006-06-17 |accessdate=2007-04-28 |publisher="ABC News"] While out injured, early in the morning on 30 July 2006, Hunt was at the scene of a fight outside a Brisbane night club in Brisbane's CBD. The media, notably Channel 7 and Channel 10, alleged Hunt was the instigator of the incident, claiming he squirted water on a woman. The Broncos denied he had any involvement in the incident although a woman gave his name to police. Hunt also denied involvement, insisting he was merely a bystander.cite news | title=Broncos defend Hunt | url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411317/801451 | date=2006-08-03 |accessdate=2007-06-07 |publisher="TVNZ"]

When Hunt's contract ended at the end of 2006, concern mounted as to whether the Broncos would be able to retain him. [cite news|publisher="The Courier-Mail"|first=Mick|last=Daly|title= Broncos no to Hunt bidding war |date=2006-06-21|accessdate=2007-07-17|url=http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/CML/2006/get.jsp?docid=CML-20060621-1-096-4153543V18@QLD-METRO-2006-2005|format=Fee required] The Broncos could only offer Hunt about $200,000 a season, while other teams were able to offer him $300,000. [cite news|publisher="Gold Coast Bulletin"|format=Fee required|url=http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/GCB/2006/get.jsp?docid=GCB-20060619-B-026-4044580V13@QLD-GCB-2006-2005|first=Trad|last=McLean|accessdate=2007-06-09|title=Karmichael could move in hunt for money|date=2006-06-19] The South Sydney Rabbitohs reportedly offered Hunt up to $500,000 a season, but despite these offers, on 29 June, he signed with the Broncos for a further three years. [cite news|publisher="The Age"|title=Hunt in three-year NRL deal with Broncos|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Hunt-resigns-with-the-Broncos-in-NRL/2006/06/29/1151174318626.html|date=2006-06-29|accessdate=2007-06-09] Brisbane Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen announced that contract negotiations were "straightforward" and there was never any doubt that Hunt wanted to stay at the Broncos.cite news|publisher="ABC News"|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2006/06/29/1674814.htm|title=Broncos hang on to Hunt|date=2006-06-29|accessdate=2007-07-17]

During Hunt's injury, Bennett moved Broncos team mate Justin Hodges to fullback and Hodges was impressive in the position. [cite news|title=Hodges has turned it around|first=James|last=Hopper|publisher="The Daily Telegraph"|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20493178-5006066,00.html|date=2006-09-29|accessdate=2007-06-26] When Hunt returned to the Broncos side in Round 25 against the Parramatta Eels, he was forced to play on the wing due to Hodges' good form.cite news |title=Broncos keep Hodges at full-back |url=http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200609/s1733658.htm |date=2006-09-05 |accessdate=2007-05-12 |publisher="ABC News" ] Hunt and Hodges continued to switch the fullback position for the remainder of the season. Hunt missed the first week of the finals due to a hamstring problem but was able to return a week later. [cite news|publisher="The Courier-Mail"|title=Finals hoodoo hits again|first=Anthony|last=Dawson|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,20384218-5007200,00.html|date=2006-09-10|accessdate=2006-06-06] The Broncos reached the grand final against the Melbourne Storm, winning 15–8 with Hunt playing on the wing and Hodges at fullback. [cite news | title=Brisbane wins NRL grand final 15-8 | publisher="The Age" | url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Brisbane-wins-NRL-grand-final-158/2006/10/01/1159641202711.html | date=2006-10-01 | accessdate=2007-05-14 ] [cite news | title=Grand Final Team Lists | url=http://www.nrl.com/Clubs/Broncos/BroncosNewsArticle/tabid/104/NewsId/3184/Default.aspx | publisher="NRL" | date=2006-09-26 | accessdate=2007-05-14 ]

2007 and beyond

Bennett pulled his first selection surprise of 2007, experimenting with Hunt at halfback for the opening game of the season. [cite news | first=Wayne |last=Heming |title=Give Hunt time, says Lockyer | url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,20797,21387445-10389,00.html?from=public_rss | date=2007-03-15 |accessdate=2007-04-28 |publisher="The Courier-Mail" ] At the time Bennett maintained that this would be a long term switch, but due to the Broncos' poor form, Hunt returned to fullback for Round 3. [cite news|publisher="ABC News"|url=http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/03/13/1870764.htm|title=Hunt to start at half-back|date=2007-03-13|accessdate=2007-07-16] [cite news|publisher="ABC News"|url=http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/03/19/1876144.htm|title=Lockyer given some reason to smile|date=2007-03-30|accessdate=2007-07-16] In Round 11, the Broncos had their biggest victory yet, winning 71–6 over Newcastle. In that game Hunt set up three tries and scored one himself. [cite web|publisher="NRL Stats"|url=http://nrlstats.com/season/nrl/thescore556.html|title=Round 11 - Brisbane vs Newcastle|accessdate=2007-06-09] The Brisbane newspaper "The Sunday Mail" described Hunt as not performing consistently throughout the 2007 season for the Broncos. However, Hunt played an exceptionally good game in Round 15 against the West Tigers, scoring three tries, assisting in a try and gaining 281 metres in the Broncos' win. [cite web|title=Round 15 - Brisbane v Wests Tigers|url=http://nrlstats.com/season/nrl/thescore588.html|publisher="NRL Stats"|accessdate=2007-06-25]

" |authorlink=Darren Lockyer]

After Round 18 of the competition, during a training session on 20 July 2007, Hunt injured his hamstring and was originally scheduled to miss six weeks. [cite news|publisher="ABC News"|title=Injured Hunt facing lengthy sideline stint|date=2007-07-20|accessdate=2007-06-20|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/20/1983892.htm] However, his recovery took longer than expected, and he was eventually ruled out for the rest of the season. [cite news|publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=2007-08-25|accessdate=2007-08-25|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Hunt-season-in-the-balance/2007/08/25/1187462569717.html|title=Hunt season in the balance] cite news|publisher="Brisbane Times"|title=Hunt to miss finals|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/sport/hunt-to-miss-finals/2007/09/03/1188783141626.html|date=2007-09-03|accessdate=2007-09-03] Despite playing only thirteen games for the Broncos in 2007, he received the Broncos award for Best Back.cite web|url=http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2007/10/06/3526_gold-coast-sport.html|publisher="GoldCoast.com.au"|first=Adam|last=Gardini|title=Petero departs Broncos as Best Player|date=2007-10-06|accessdate=2007-10-13]

Over the 2008 pre-season Hunt recovered from his hamstring injury and played in his first match since the injury in the 23 February 2008 trial match against Canberra. [cite news|publisher=The Courier Mail|title=Happy to return after break|date=2008-02-24|accessdate=2008-03-21|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23268415-10389,00.html] After playing another trial in the position of five eighth,cite news|publisher=The Courier Mail|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/story/0,26746,23303714-5003409,00.html|title=Injury a good holiday for Hunt|accessdate=2008-03-21|date=2008-03-01] Hunt returned to first grade in Round 1 of the 2008 NRL competition playing fullback in the Broncos 48-12 win over Penrith. [cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/16/2190805.htm|title=Red-hot Broncos crush Panthers|accessdate=2008-03-21|date=2008-03-16|publisher=ABC News] In
Round 2 Hunt shoulder charged Sydney Roosters five eighth Braith Anasta in the head and was subsequently placed on report. The NRL judiciary committee charged Hunt with a Grade-Three Careless High tackle and if pleading guilty would miss one week of premiership competition. [cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23413062-10389,00.html|accessdate=2008-03-21|date=2008-03-21|title=Hunt report in Broncos win|publisher=The Courier Mail|first=Ricketts|last=Steve] [cite news|publisher=The Courier Mail|title=Broncos fullback Karmichael Hunt charged by NRL|first=Barry|last=Dick|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23423511-10389,00.html|date=2008-03-24|accessdate=2008-03-24] Pleading not guilty to the charge, Hunt was cleared to play by the judiciary with no penalty being given but missed one week anyway due to a knee injury. [cite news|publisher=The Courier Mail|title=Karmichael Hunt cleared over high shot|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/story/0,26746,23436414-5016283,00.html|date=2008-03-26|accessdate=2008-03-27] [cite news|title=Hunt out of Cowboys game|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/28/2201777.htm?section=sport|accessdate=2008-03-28|date=2008-03-28|publisher=ABC News]

In July 2008, speculation began on what Hunt would do past the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2009 season. With some high-profile defections of star league players to cashed-up rugby union clubs from France, Hunt is expected to be the target of offers from overseas and within Australia. Australian rugby union club Queensland Reds have stated their intentions to attempt to lure Hunt to the rugby union code, with the reasoning being his successful young career in rugby union. [cite news|accessdate=2008-08-03|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/national/national/sport/reds-in-the-hunt-for-karmichael-to-beef-up-back-line/1060480.aspx|title=Reds in the hunt for Karmichael to beef up back line|date=2008-07-20|first=Jim|last=Morton|publisher="The Canberra Times] From within the NRL competition, Sydney based clubs Sydney Roosters and St. George Illawarra Dragons have stated their intentions to make a bid for Hunt for his services in the 2010 season, claiming they can double Hunt's three year deal from 2006, reported to be around $200,000. The Broncos however, are expected to still be a factor in his decision with the possibility of the captaincy a possible lure to remain with the Broncos. [cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24109844-10389,00.html|title=Karmichael Hunt set to captain Broncos|first=Steve|last=Ricketts|date=2008-08-01|publisher="The Courier Mail"|accessdate=2008-08-03]

In the final round of the 2008 NRL competition, Hunt became the youngest player in premiership's history to reach 100 first-grade games. He set up three tries and scored one himself in the man-of-the-match performance against the Newcastle Knights in the game which secured the Broncos place in the competition finals. This performance came a day after his coach Wayne Bennett stated that Hunt was the "bravest" player he had coached because of the strong runs he made when returning the ball from fullback. [cite news|url=http://news.theage.com.au/sport/hunts-play-clinches-it-for-brisbane-20080906-4ayp.html|title=Hunt's play clinches it for Brisbane|date=2008-09-06|accessdate=2008-09-06|publisher="The Age"]

On 15 September 2008, a 24 year old women lodged a formal complaint about a sexual assault two days earlier. The people alledged to be at the centre of the incident were Hunt and Brisbane Broncos team mates Darius Boyd and Sam Thaiday. The players are cooperating with police and the outcome is likely to be known by the end of October. It is unknown what consequences Hunt will face in terms of his future at the Broncos who have had a strict policy on off-field behaviour. [cite news|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/league/broncos-quizzed-over-sex-assault-claim/2008/09/14/1221330642554.html|publisher="The Brisbane Times"|accessdate=2008-09-22|date=2008-09-15|first=Phil|last=Lutton|title=Broncos quizzed over sex assault claim] [cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/nrl/story/0,27074,24351636-14823,00.html|publisher="Herald Sun"|accessdate=2008-09-22|date=2008-09-16|title=Star Broncos at the centre of police investigation]

Representative career

Allegiance and debut

] [cite book | last=Whitaker |first=Alan |coauthors=Glen Hudson |title=The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players: Every Brisbane Player Ever |year=2005 |publisher="Bas Publishing" |location=Melbourne |isbn=1-920910-48-4 | pages=26] In 2006, media speculation suggested that Hunt intended to change his allegiance and play for the New Zealand team, but Hunt put the speculation to rest by confirming that he would play for Australia.

Though Hunt was considered for the 2004 State of Origin series amongst other fullbacks, he was ignored for the entire series in favour of Penrith Panthers fullback Rhys Wesser. [cite news|publisher="ABC News"|url=http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/s1109440.htm|title=State of Origin squads to be announced today|date=2004-05-17|accessdate=2007-06-06] [cite news|publisher="ABC News"|title=Lockyer, Prince, Bowman named by Maroons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200405/s1109836.htm|accessdate=2007-06-06|date=2004-05-17] Hunt's good form in 2006 paid off when he was selected to play for the Australian team against New Zealand on 5 May as a replacement for the injured Anthony Minichiello. This decision proved controversial, due to his being preferred over the in-form Matt Bowen. [cite news|publisher="NineMSN"|title=Cowboys stunned by Bowen's Test omission|date=2006-05-02|accessdate=2007-06-08|url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=98050] [ cite news | title=Australia's Anzac Test League Team Named | url=http://www.nrl.com/Clubs/Broncos/BroncosNewsArticle/tabid/104/NewsId/972/Default.aspx | accessdate=2007-05-02 |date=2006-04-30 |publisher="NRL" ] cite news | title=Hunt to make Test debut |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Hunt-called-to-Anzac-Test-league-squad/2006/05/01/1146335644543.html |date=2006-05-01 |accessdate=2007-04-25 |publisher="The Age" ] That game was Hunt's representative and international debut, and though he performed well, he only played for 50 minutes, making one error and 83 metres in kick returns. [cite web|publisher="NRL Stats & SportsData"|title=Live NRL Player Stats: Round 1 Australia 50 v New Zealand 12|url=http://64.239.2.53/nrl/stats/2006tests/playerstats.asp?type=nrl&year=2006&round=1&game=1|accessdate=2007-06-09 ] However, he was unable to complete the game due to concussion sustained by a blow from Frank Pritchard. He was taken unconscious from the field and played no further part in the match. [cite news | title=Hunt dazed and confused | url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411317/710928 | date=2006-05-06 | accessdate=2007-05-19 | publisher="TVNZ" ]

After his Test debut, Hunt was expected to be the Queensland fullback in the first match of the three game State of Origin series. However, Queensland selectors decided to stay with incumbent Origin fullback Matt Bowen. [cite news |title=Meninga backs Maroons' youth plan |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Maroons-include-seven-rookies-in-squad/2006/05/15/1147545245648.html | date=2006-05-15 |accessdate=2007-07-17 |publisher="The Age"] The selectors reconsidered after Queensland lost the first game, selecting Hunt for the second match. In his State of Origin debut, Hunt ran with the ball seventeen times, making 196 metres. [cite news | publisher="Rleague" | last=O'Neill | first=Matthew | date=2007-06-05 | accessdate=2007-05-19 | title=Hunt to make State of Origin Debut | url=http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=25449 ] [cite web|publisher="NRL Stats & Sportsdata"|title=Live NRL Player Stats: Round 2 Queensland 30 v New South Wales 6|url=http://64.239.2.53/nrl/stats/2006origin/playerstats.asp?type=nrl&year=&round=2&game=1|accessdate=2007-06-09] He missed the third Origin game because of a foot injury, sustained in the Broncos' Round 15 match, and was replaced by Clinton Schifcofske. [cite news |title=Maroons name injured Hodges |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411317/766691 | date=2006-06-26 |accessdate=2007-07-13 |publisher="TVNZ"]

2006 Tri-Nations to 2008

Hunt was one of eight Broncos players selected for the Australian team for the end of year Tri-Nations series. [cite news | title=Broncos eight selected | url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,20514214-5003409,00.html | date=2006-10-03 |accessdate=2007-05-31 |publisher="The Courier-Mail" | first=Mick |last=Daly ] With the absence of injured rival Anthony Minichiello, Hunt retained his fullback position for the first Tri-Nations match, [cite news | title=Hunt to stay at fullback | publisher="NRL" | date=2006-10-11 | accessdate=2007-05-14 | url=http://www.nrl.com/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/3357/Default.aspx ] [cite news | title=Kiwis vs Kangaroos Team Lists | url=http://www.nrl.com/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/3348/Default.aspx | date=2006-10-10 | accessdate=2007-05-14 | publisher="NRL" ] scoring two tries in a man of the match performance. [cite news | title=Aussies hunt down Kiwis | url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,20581963-10389,00.html | first=Adrian | last=Proszenko | date=2006-10-14 | accessdate=2007-05-19 | publisher="The Courier-Mail" ] He played in the remainder of the Tri-Nations series, [cite web | title=Rleague.com 2006 Tri-Nations (Australian Kangaroos) | url=http://www.rleague.com//db/year/2006/tri-nations_test_series/australian_kangaroos/index.php | accessdate=2007-05-19 |publisher="Rleague"] which Australia won, Hunt scoring a total of three tries. The Tri-Nations win ended a good year for Hunt, who made his debut for Australia and Queensland before being a part of the premiership-winning Broncos team.

Hunt retained his fullback position for Australia in the 2007 ANZAC Test. [cite news |title=Hunt, Smith retain Test jerseys |url=http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200704/s1897676.htm |date=2007-04-15 |accessdate=2007-05-12 |publisher="ABC News"] Hunt ran the ball 18 times, the most of any player, and scored one try in a man-of-the-match performance as Australia won 30–6. [ cite news | title= Kangaroos thrash New Zealand in Bundy Test | url=http://www.rugbyleague.com.au/arl/article.php?id=1026 | accessdate=2007-04-29 |publisher="Australian Rugby League" ] [cite web|publisher="NRL Stats"|url=http://nrlstats.com/season/nrl/thescore654.html|title=Round 1 - Australia vs New Zealand|accessdate=2007-06-09] Hunt was named fullback for all three games of the 2007 State of Origin series, despite the club form of rival fullbacks Billy Slater and Matt Bowen. [cite news | title= Maroons set to overlook Bowen| url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200705/s1919849.htm | date=2007-05-10 |accessdate=2007-05-13 |publisher="ABC News"] [cite news | url=http://nrl.com.au/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/5075/Default.aspx | title=Loyalty the key for the Maroons | date=2007-05-15 | accessdate=2007-05-15 | publisher="NRL" ] cite news | first=Peter | last=Badel | title=Punt Hunt, says Jack | url=http://www.news.com.au/sundaymail/story/0,,21718634-10389,00.html | date=2007-05-13 | accessdate=2007-05-13 | publisher="The Sunday Mail" ] In the second game, Hunt played a full match despite aggravating his foot injury as Queensland won the match and the series. [cite news|publisher="Fox Sports News"|title=Hunt, Tate Broncos doubts|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21903803-23210,00.html|date=2007-06-14|accessdate=2007-06-14] He also played in the third Origin game despite suffering a calf injury during training. [cite news|publisher="The Courier-Mail"|accessdate=2007-07-04|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21984641-5012961,00.html|title=Hunt injury causes scare|first=Matt|last=Marshall|date=2007-06-29] Hunt was not considered for selection in the end of year Test for Australia against New Zealand due to a hamstring injury sustained earlier in the season.

A minor knee injury which only left Hunt out for two weeks was enough to deny him an opportunity of regaining the fullback position for Australia in the Centenary test match against New Zealand in May, 2008. [cite news|url=http://news.smh.com.au/injured-hunt-out-for-23-weeks/20080420-27cs.html|date=2008-04-20|publisher="The Sydney Morning Herald"|title=Injured Hunt out for 2-3 weeks|accessdate=2008-05-12] Hunt's place in the Queensland team for the 2008 State of Origin series was assured by Queensland coach Mal Meninga but there was speculation that Hunt could play five-eighth in place of injured team-mate Darren Lockyer. While not the best five-eighth possibility for the Queensland representative team, his selection there would make way for the Australian fullback Billy Slater. [cite news|title=Hunt over as Carmichael replaces Lockyer|publisher="The Brisbane Times"|accessdate=2008-05-12|date=2008-05-12|url=http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/hunt-over-as-carmichael-replaces-lockyer/20080512-2db2.html] Hunt, having never played a senior rugby league game at the five-eighth position, was controversially selected at the position leaving out in form possibility Scott Prince, in the Queensland team. [cite news|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/sport/origin-selectors-confirm-hunts-six-appeal/2008/05/13/1210444396328.html|title=Origin selectors confirm Hunt's six appeal|date=2008-05-13|accessdate=2008-05-13|publisher="The Brisbane Times"|first=Phil|last=Lutton]

In a losing Queensland team, Hunt didn’t play well nor bad, being outstanding in defence but subdued in attack.cite news|publisher="The Brisbane Times"|title=Hunt back from 'foreign' land|last=Lutton|first=Phil|accessdate=2008-06-10|date=2008-06-10|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/league/hunt-back-from-foreign-land/2008/06/10/1212863593380.html?page=fullpage] Hunt’s position at five-eighth is now in question for the second game, but coach Mal Meninga has stated that Hunt will be in the team somewhere. [cite news|publisher="The Brisbane Times"|title=Hunt to become hunted|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/sport/hunt-to-become-hunted/2008/05/22/1211182930634.html|accessdate=2008-05-22|date=2008-05-22|first=Phil|last=Lutton] Meninga's statement came to truth when Hunt was named on the interchange bench for the second game, making way for Queensland custodian and captain Lockyer in the five-eighth role. [cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23805281-23214,00.html|title=Lockyer back to boost Maroons|accessdate=2008-06-03|date=2008-06-03|publisher="Fox Sports"] However, Meninga made a late change before the game and put Hunt in his familiar role at fullback over Slater who was place on the interchange bench. [cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23913820-2722,00.html|title=Karmichael Hunt secures fullback spot with Slater benched|accessdate=2008-07-09|date=2008-06-24|first=Margie|last=McDonald|publisher="The Australian"] Hunt played in the match, which Queensland won 30-0, for only 51 minutes being put on the interchange bench for 29 minutes in the middle part of the game. Hunt retained his position for game three of the series and played in part of a game and therefore series winning Queensland team.

2008 Rugby League World Cup

In August, 2008, Hunt was named in the preliminary 46-man squad for Australia in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. [cite news|author=Liam FitzGibbon|publisher="Fox Sports News (Australia)"|title=Surprises in Kangaroos squad|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24111780-23214,00.html|accessdate=2008-08-02|date=2008-08-01] However he did not make the final 24-man squad because of 2008 grand final fullbacks Billy Slater and Brett Stewart who were selected ahead of Hunt.cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7656211.stm|title=Manly six win Australia call-up|publisher=BBC|date=2008-10-07|accessdate=2008-10-07]

Career statistics

Honours

Footnotes

References

*
*

External links

*Broncos player|84|new=yes
*StateofOrigin player|446
*" [http://www.nrl.com.au/tabid/10260/default.aspx?playerid=87 Karmichael Hunt] at the National Rugby League official website."
*FOGS player|161

Persondata
NAME = Hunt, Karmichael
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Rugby league player for Brisbane Broncos. Has represented Queensland Maroons and Australian Kangaroos.
DATE OF BIRTH = 17 November 1986
PLACE OF BIRTH = Auckland, New Zealand
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =