Karmichael Hunt

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Karmichael Hunt
Karmichael Hunt
Personal information
Full name Karmichael Hunt
Date of birth November 17, 1986 (age 20)
Place of birth Auckland, New Zealand
Height 1.86 m
Weight 86 kg
Nickname K
Position Fullback/Halfback
Club information
Current club Brisbane Broncos
Youth clubs
Souths Acacia Ridge
Professional clubs*
Years Club Apps (points)
2004-present Brisbane 72 (128)
Representative teams**
2006
2006		 Australia
Queensland		 4 (8)
1 (0)

* Professional club appearances and points
counted for domestic first grade only and
correct as of April 6 2007.
** Representative team caps and points correct
as of November 4 2006.

Karmichael Hunt (born November 17, 1986 in Auckland, New Zealand) is a rugby league player for the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League competition.

Contents

[edit] Early Career

Karmichael Hunt was born in Auckland, New Zealand to parents from the Cook Islands in the South Pacific. He moved to Brisbane, Queensland when he was 11 years of age. Upon moving to Brisbane, Karmichael played his junior football for Souths Acacia Ridge. At 13, Karmichael made his representative debut for the South-East Queensland team, where he played fullback. Karmichael attended ACGS in East Brisbane from 2002-2003, were he played as a dominating figure for the school's first XV. His school career included an undefeated premiership in 2003, playing fullback for Churchie, arguably the premier player in the GPS competition.

[edit] Brisbane Broncos

[edit] Season 2004 - Debut Season

Karmichael made his first grade debut at the age of 17 in Round 1 of the Brisbane Broncos season. Originally picked on the bench for this game, coach Wayne Bennett moved him to fullback. With Darren Lockyer's move to five-eighth this left some large shoes to fill in the fullback position. Karmichael's selection was a success and he played every game in 2004 for the Broncos and was the season's top try-scorer. Critics were calling him the next super-star of the game and he won the 2004 Rookie of the Year. He was set to make a shock selection for the Australian team at the end of 2004.

[edit] Seasons 2005 & 2006

Karmichael saw a loss of form in his second season, some labelling it Karmichael's second-year syndrome, although Karmichael still played at his favourite position of fullback for the enitre year. Karmichael showed some form and lacks of form, but remained injury free.

Karmichael started the 2006 season well, making a deadly combination with Darren Lockyer and in reward won the Australian and Queensland Fullback Position. Later, 3 days after making an impressive debut for Queensland in State of Origin II, Karmichael took to the field for the Brisbane Broncos when they played the Dragons. Unfortunately, Karmichael sustained an injury and x-rays later confirmed a broken bone in his foot. The injury sidelined him for 8 weeks. Karmichael returned to the Broncos side in round 25 against the Parramatta Eels playing on the Wing, after Justin Hodges was selected at Fullback after impressive form during Karmichael's absence. Karmichael missed the Broncos home semi-final on September 9th 2006 against St George after slightly straining his hamstring during Broncos training in the days leading up to the match. Karmichael returned for the match against Newcastle and won 50-6. In the Grand Final Play-offs against the Canterbury Bulldogs, Karmichael was selected at fullback for the Broncos, but after a less than great performance, coach Wayne Bennett moved Justin Hodges to fullback and Karmichael to the wing, a move which helped the Broncos come from 14 down at half time to win 37-20. Karmichael was a member of the Broncos team who played the 2006 Grand Final against the Melbourne Storm. The Broncos won 15-8, with Brent Tate and Justin Hodges scoring a try each and Darren Lockyer and Corey Parker converting the tries, with Lockyer kicking a penalty goal and a field goal too.

[edit] Season 2007

Wayne Bennett pulled his first selection surprise of 2007, naming Karmichael at halfback for the opening game of the 2007 season against the North Queensland Cowboys.

[edit] Beyond

In June 2006, Bruno Cullen, Managing Director of the Broncos announced Karmichael would be with the club for a further 3-years until the end of 2009 at least.

[edit] Internationals for the Kangaroos

[edit] Before his debut

Karmichael and his parents, Hans and Tera moved to the Brisbane suburb of Algester when Karmichael was 11. Karmichael was approched by New Zealand at every oppotunnity since. Wests Tigers' Benji Marshall, a former team mate of Hunt's also approached him to try and gain his alleigence to the kiwis. Hunt was approached again in his debut season (2004) to play in the ANZAC Test for New Zealand, but Karmichael pledged his allegiance to Queensland and Australia, stating “I owe everything to the Queensland Rugby League because that’s where I’ve played all my football, all my rep football. There was no way I could abandon that…” (The Sunday Mail 2004)

[edit] Debut and ANZAC Test 2006

Karmichael's loyalty to Queensland and Australia paid off in May 2006 when he was selected to replace the injured Anthony Minichello in the Kangaroo’s team to play New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium on May 5th. His selection in the team was considered controversial by most, who favoured the North Queensland Cowboys fullback Matt Bowen. Karmichael played well in his debut, making some good tackles and being heavily involved in attack. But in the 50th minute he was knocked unconscious by the shoulder of Kiwi Frank Pritchard whilst making a kick-return. He was taken, concussed, from the field and played no further part in the match, which Australia won convincingly 50-12.

[edit] 2006 Tri Nations and Beyond

Shortly after winning the 2006 NRL Grand Final, Karmichael was one of nine Broncos selected for the Tri-Nations. There was much debate concerning who should be fullback, Karmichael, team mate, Justin Hodges or rising super-star Greg Inglis. However, Karmichael retained his Fullback position for the first test on October 14, 2006. Karmichael played exceptionally well, scoring two tries for a man of the match performance and retained his position in the second match on October 21. In the 2nd game of the 2006 Tri Nations, Karmichael was again in solid form, combining well with Lockyer. Karmichael threw the final pass to Mark Gasnier for him to score the match winning try for the Kangaroos.

[edit] Queensland State of Origin

[edit] 2006 State of Origin

Karmichael Hunt was tipped to be the Queensland Fullback, after his test debut on May 5, in the 1st State of Origin game in the 2006 State of Origin series. However selectors decided to stay with star North Queensland Cowboys fullback Matt Bowen. After Queensland lost the first game, selectors decided to go with Karmichael. It was Karmichael's solid form in the last few months that won him the spot in the team. Queensland won the game convincely 30-6, with a good performance from Hunt. An injury ruled him out of the third game.

[edit] Career Highlights/Honours

[edit] Other

  • Junior Club: Souths Acacia Ridge
  • Played for Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) 1st XV Rugby Union Team
  • Australian Schoolboys Team

[edit] Brisbane Broncos

  • First Grade Debut: Round 1, Brisbane Broncos v. Warriors at Suncorp, March 14, 2004
  • Dally M Rookie of the Year 2004
  • Brisbane Broncos Rookie of the Year 2004
  • Member of 2006 Brisbane Broncos Premiership Winning Team
Apps Tries Goals F/G Points Correct to
68 30 0 0 120 October 1

[edit] Queensland Maroons

  • Queensland Debut - Fullback – State of Origin Game 2—Suncorp Stadium—June 14th 2006.
  • 1 game, no points.
Apps Tries Goals F/G Points Correct to
1 0 0 0 0 June 14

[edit] Australian Kangaroos

  • Australian Debut - Fullback Anzac Test—Suncorp Stadium—May 5th 2006.
  • Man of the Match - Tri-Nations Game 1-Mt Smart Stadium-October 14th 2006 (2 tries)
  • 4 games, 8 points.
Apps Tries Goals F/G Points Correct to
6 3 0 0 12 December 5


[edit] External links

Brisbane Broncos
The Club
Representatives • History • Records • Honours • Players • Venues
Seasons
1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997
1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007
Stadiums
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Captains
Wally Lewis (1988-1989) • Gene Miles (1990-1991) • Allan Langer (1992-1999)
Kevin Walters (1999-2000) • Gorden Tallis (2001-2004) • Darren Lockyer (2005-present)
Coaches
Wayne Bennett (1988-present)
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