Super Rugby: Karmichael Hunt to stay sidelined pending drug hearing
Monday 23 February 2015 08:23, UK
Queensland Reds player Karmichael Hunt will not be selected for Friday's Super Rugby match against Otago Highlanders as he awaits a court appearance to answer charges of supplying cocaine.
The 28-year-old was stood down by the Reds last week after it emerged he was one of four people given notice by Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission to appear in court on March 5.
Hunt missed the Reds' win over Western Force at the weekend and will continue to stay on the sidelines pending his hearing.
"Following extensive consultation with Karmichael over the weekend, we have determined that it continues to be best for Karmichael's welfare that he is not available for selection this Friday," said Reds chief executive Jim Carmichael.
"As this highly complicated matter is due before the courts and is part of a wider and ongoing investigation by the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission, we will continue not to prejudice the player's legal or contractual rights and we will apply the principles of natural justice."
Reds coach Richard Graham has also revealed Hunt will not train with the rest of the team while under the legal cloud.
"We'll certainly keep him on a modified programme but that's more to do with his strength and conditioning, and keeping him ticking over," said Graham.
A QCCC statement released on Friday alleged the four people summoned to court "arranged for the supply of cocaine for personal use or to on-supply cocaine to friends and colleagues between June and December 2014".
Hunt was on the roster of Aussie Rules club Gold Coast Suns last year and the Queensland Rugby Union have claimed the alleged offences had actually occurred between September 1 and October 3, 2014 before he started training with the Reds in late November.
The QCCC investigation has also rocked Australia's National Rugby League competition, with five Gold Coast Titans players also charged with drugs offences, including Australia internationals Greg Bird and David Taylor.
