ARU should have a look at Karmichael Hunt?

[Ash]

Yeah, agree TOCC, that's what I remember too. He was always meant to follow Lockyer into the halves at 6.

It's been a long while since locks in league were another real ball player, think back to Jason Smith for example. These days locks are generally another centre field player, along with the props, with the second rowers being "edge" players who are just a bulkier centre.

As someone mentioned above, league players are more defined by what channel they are in than their real position.

 

[Jets]

Yeah I agree that the Broncos had him tagged as the next 6. I guess I preferred the older style of league when guys like Smith and Fitler played 13. KH was that type of player, both guys who played quite a bit of 6.

I do find it interesting that back line positions in league are becoming extremely specialised yet they will move forwards around in the pack with out as much concern.


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[Train Without a Station]

Fittler didn't play a lot of lock though. He played more centres early and then occasionally played there in the second half of his career to accommodate others.

But yes agree with Smith. Look at how when he came back to aus he played 6 solely... Because he was a better ball player than other 6's at the time. Early in his career there were a number of locks just as good.

I find the discussion of specialisation almost vomit inducing. If I hear another case of a player not being considered because he plays left wing, not right wing I'm going to vomit.

 

[Jets]

Was thinking more about Fittler in the Kangaroos when Daley was the 6 and they had to fit both players in the team.

And yes I agree about the stupidity of only playing on one side of the field. It's almost becoming like NFL.

 

[Train Without a Station]

I was actually thinking about this earlier today.

When you consider the great locks of rugby league (Johnny Raper, Ray Price, Wayne Pearce, Bob Lidner, Bradley Clyde) I don't think Hunt would ever make that list.

Your point though was more of a standard type of thing back when rugby league was actually about rugby league players not athletes. For example, Lewis started at lock as there was somebody in the QLD team at 6, and then was pushed there late in his career to allow for Kevin Walters.

I think this does not happen any more, because players are less skilled as footballers. Jason Smith played most of his career in his prime as a lock, yet when he came back to player for the Raiders then the Cowboys he was a five-eight and considered one of the best at the time. Why was this? Because the ball playing skills of most of the players running around were shit.

I'd imagine if Jim Dymock played today, he'd never be shifted to lock for example as there are no quality 6's floating around.

If Hunt had played in the 80's, he may well have moved to the back row. However, the game has now become a game where 6's are generally back rowers, if anything he likely would have moved to more a 7 role, as blokes with half a football brain seem pretty fucking rare now, and coaches like to play it safe and just throw another tackling machine athlete in.

Thinking about it, it has really given some good points for why I can no longer stand NRL.

 

[Braveheart81]

The interchange rule has made a huge change to rugby league. Players like Wayne Pearce would no longer be elite because the fitness advantage he had over other players is negated by substitutions. He was the kind of player who was still going as hard in the final minutes as the early minutes and took advantage when players tired.

 

[Jets]

In any case I'd love to see Hunt at the Reds in 2015. I think he could cover 12, 13 and 15. With the others leaving I think 15 could be the spot to play him and allow him to join the backline at will. Chances are this wont happen as it makes sense to me and the current Reds structure doen't allow for that.

 

[Train Without a Station]

I agree. I think our only road block will be where he would fall in the national pecking order and therefore whether he is worth the top up to the ARU.

I would absolutely love him at the reds and think he would be outstanding.

I don't think he would be great enough at 12 or 15 to take Izzy and To'omua's position as first choice players, which is where the issue comes in. I can understand if the ARU are not in the position to give out top ups for reserves or less to come across. They need to lock up the first choice XV first to prevent losing players O/S. Imagine if we gained Hunt, but lost Kepu or Slipper? Where would we be then?

 

[I like to watch]

I was actually thinking about this earlier today.

When you consider the great locks of rugby league (Johnny Raper, Ray Price, Wayne Pearce, Bob Lidner, Bradley Clyde) I don't think Hunt would ever make that list.

Your point though was more of a standard type of thing back when rugby league was actually about rugby league players not athletes. For example, Lewis started at lock as there was somebody in the QLD team at 6, and then was pushed there late in his career to allow for Kevin Walters.

I think this does not happen any more, because players are less skilled as footballers. Jason Smith played most of his career in his prime as a lock, yet when he came back to player for the Raiders then the Cowboys he was a five-eight and considered one of the best at the time. Why was this? Because the ball playing skills of most of the players running around were shit.

I'd imagine if Jim Dymock played today, he'd never be shifted to lock for example as there are no quality 6's floating around.

If Hunt had played in the 80's, he may well have moved to the back row. However, the game has now become a game where 6's are generally back rowers, if anything he likely would have moved to more a 7 role, as blokes with half a football brain seem pretty fucking rare now, and coaches like to play it safe and just throw another tackling machine athlete in.

Thinking about it, it has really given some good points for why I can no longer stand NRL.

Unfortunately, I see many of the things you bemoan in Mungo sneaking into Rugby.
The more professional the coaching becomes in the junior ranks,the more the focus becomes about size and strength,and reducing risk.
Reducing risk means discouraging ball play.
Get used to low scoring Test matches as these younger players inevitably graduate into the pro ranks.

 

[Train Without a Station]

I agree with your sentiment ILTW.

That being said it's certainly encouraging to see players that don't fit this mould still coming through. I think the following players would not have made it to professional level if coaches weren't considering ball playing ability or other factors:

• Nic White
• Jesse Mogg
• Michael Hooper
• Ben Tapaui
• Anthony Fainga'a
• Pat McCabe
• Bryce Hegarty
• Liam Gill
• Beau Robinson
• Colby Fainga'a
• Robbie Coleman
• Kurtley Beale
• James O'Conner

The most telling is that size hasn't been a factor for international honours, unless it has been a determining factor between similar ranked players, or key positions (e.g. Kuridrani).

 

[hammertimethere]

Hunt would be a terrific pick up at the right price.
What hasn't been stated here (but has elsewhere) is the fact that the man is married with two kids under 3. With his young family, it has been said that he doesn't particularly want to move away from SE Queensland. I believe the Broncos were what he had in mind but then they've gone and signed some of the best players running around in the positions he would be in line for (all on top dollar as well) so they're not a great option. The Storm were keen apparently but Hunt doesn't want to move if he doesn't have to. Q

ARU wake up!!! He's a prime candidate for a similar swoop play we made for Folau, the QRU are already talking to him and if the circumstances are as such that he may be willing to take slightly less coin to not move then why not?!

 

[hammertimethere]

I suppose the ARU will weigh up whether an investment in Hunt is likely to return what they might consider sufficient dividends given he would play in Brisbane and not fucking Sydney or Melbourne.

 

[joshbristow]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/r...klustre-backline/story-e6frf4pu-1226956623753

 

[A mutterer]

the reds would do well with hunt, and he would be good for the bottom line for the reds and (potentially) the wallabies.

a far better investment return than that offered by homebrand.

 

[Tomikin]

Hunt is so professional .. he would help any team.. he has the personality too push the other playersamd coach .. he be good for the reds

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