Hunt likely to remain No.15 for Super Reds

Queensland Reds Super Rugby coach Nick Stiles looks likely to stick with Karmichael Hunt at fullback rather than run him in his Test spot of inside centre.

Karmichael Hunt

Queensland fullback Karmichael Hunt performed well in Australia's June Tests at No.12. (AAP)

Queensland Reds coach Nick Stiles is leaning towards keeping his newly-minted Wallabies inside centre Karmichael Hunt at fullback in Super Rugby.

Hunt performed well in the unfamiliar No.12 jersey in Australia's June Tests after excelling at the back for the Reds this season.

He returns to Queensland duty on Friday, when the Reds (3-10) host Australian conference champions the Brumbies in Brisbane.

Hunt has only ever played two games at inside centre for the Reds in almost three full seasons.

The 30-year-old has started every Reds game this season at fullback but Stiles noted the code-hopper spent a lot of time defending in the frontline for Queensland.

"It's not like he went from playing in your traditional fullback position all year for us to then going into the 12 position for the Wallabies, which is foreign to him," Stiles said.

"So he will still spend time up front for us, but he's been a really good footballer for us at 15 this year.

"The way he's brought the ball back on kick returns exceptionally physical and he gives us such a strong voice from fullback.

"It's a trade-off. Do we make a positional change for him or do we keep what's best for the Reds?"

Wallabies centre Samu Kerevi, who suffered an ankle injury in Queensland's last game that ruled him out of the June Tests, participated in some non-contact training on Monday but is considered unlikely to play in either of the Reds remaining matches this year.

"Finals football is definitely out as we all know, but there's a truckload to play for," Stiles said.

"They (the Brumbies) are a team that we've struggled to beat in the history of Super Rugby, so we can make a really good statement to our fans about who we are as a side."

The Reds have won only five of 27 Super Rugby clashes against the Brumbies and were outscored 33-0 in the second half of their 43-10 thrashing in Canberra in week seven.

"I was gutted, I don't think I'd felt that way about a result of a game as a player or a coach for an exceptionally long time," Stiles said.

"It was a very poor performance and I hope the boys have reflected on that second 40 minutes and are prepared to come out and put in an 80 minute performance against the Brumbies, because you know they will."

Stiles said he would continue to pick some youngsters for the last two games with an eye to next year, but emphasised most of those selections would still be on merit.


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Source: AAP



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