1. Karmichael Neil Matthew Hunt was born on 17 November 1986 and is an Australian professional rugby league coach and former player who is the current head coach of the Souths Logan Magpies in the Queensland Cup, as well as the Cook Islands national rugby league team.
Karmichael Hunt was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but has represented Australia in both rugby codes after his family emigrated there when he was aged 11.
Karmichael Hunt made his debut for the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League in 2004 and won the Dally M Rookie of the Year award.
Karmichael Hunt made his international debut for Australia in 2017 and has won six caps.
In February 2015, Karmichael Hunt was arrested and charged with four counts for the supply of cocaine for personal use or to on-supply cocaine to friends and colleagues between June and December 2014.
Karmichael Hunt was born on 17 November 1986 in Auckland, New Zealand, to Hans and Tera Karmichael Hunt, from Samoa and the Cook Islands.
Karmichael Hunt began playing rugby league at the age of four for the Avondale Wolves before moving to Australia as an eleven-year-old in 1997, the family moved to the suburb of Algester in Brisbane, Australia.
At Churchie, Karmichael Hunt switched to rugby union and was a dominant figure in the school's team, which played in the Queensland Great Public Schools competition.
In 2003, Karmichael Hunt was selected for the Australian Schoolboys rugby league representative team to tour New Zealand, playing three matches under coach Rod Patison.
Karmichael Hunt scored a try in each game and was named best back of the series.
Australian Schoolboys' coaching staff predicted that Karmichael Hunt was the most likely Australian schoolboy to make a debut in the NRL.
Karmichael Hunt 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.
Karmichael Hunt had expected to play most of the 2004 season in the Queensland Cup, the second-tier rugby league competition in Queensland.
However, after Darren Lockyer's shift to the five-eighth position and Karmichael Hunt playing both trial games on the wing and scoring a try in the first game against the Melbourne Storm, he was selected to make his National Rugby League 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.
Karmichael Hunt described Bennett and Broncos teammate Darren Lockyer as the greatest influences on his league career.
Karmichael Hunt proved to be a success for the Broncos; he played every game in 2004, missing just four minutes in total, and was the team's top try-scorer.
Karmichael 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.
The referees' board supported this position, and stated that fullbacks such as Karmichael Hunt needed to be protected due to greater risk of injury.
The performance of the 2004 NRL rookies, including Karmichael Hunt, had been much anticipated.
Karmichael Hunt scored four tries in the Round 17 clash with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, equalling the team record.
Karmichael Hunt's form earned him the Brisbane Broncos and Dally M Rookie of the Year awards.
Bennett advised Karmichael 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.
Karmichael 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.
Karmichael Hunt scored a try in each of the first two games of the season.
Karmichael Hunt returned a week later and scored a try in each of the next three games.
Karmichael 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.
Karmichael 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.
Karmichael Hunt sustained a foot injury in the Broncos Round 15 match and was sidelined for eight weeks.
The media, notably Channel 7 and Channel 10, alleged Karmichael Hunt was the instigator of the incident, claiming he squirted water on a woman.
When Karmichael Hunt's contract ended at the end of 2006, concern mounted as to whether the Broncos would be able to retain him.
Brisbane Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen announced that contract negotiations were "straightforward" and there was never any doubt that Karmichael Hunt wanted to stay at the Broncos.
When Karmichael 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.
Karmichael Hunt missed the first week of the finals due to a hamstring problem but was able to return a week later.
Karmichael Hunt played at fullback in Brisbane's loss to St Helens.
At the time Bennett maintained that this would be a long term switch, but due to the Broncos' poor form, Karmichael Hunt returned to fullback for Round 3.
In that game Karmichael Hunt set up three tries and scored one himself.
However, Karmichael Hunt played an exceptionally good game in Round 15 against the Wests Tigers, scoring three tries, assisting in a try and gaining 281 metres in the Broncos' win.
Current captain Lockyer gave his support to Karmichael Hunt being the next captain, saying that he has the respect of fellow players and the necessary leadership qualities.
In Round 2 Karmichael Hunt shoulder charged Sydney Roosters five eighth Braith Anasta in the head and was placed on report.
In July 2008, speculation began on what Karmichael Hunt would do past the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2009 season.
Karmichael Hunt 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.
Karmichael Hunt later said he was ashamed and felt he let down his family, fans and the Broncos.
However, in May 2009, the woman stated she had a few drinks with Karmichael Hunt, went into a toilet cubicle, and "after a few kisses, things went drastically wrong" and that in a "blink of an eye" Boyd and Thaiday were in the cubicle.
In March 2009 it was revealed the Broncos had withdrawn their contract extension offer to Karmichael Hunt believed to be worth $1 million over three years.
Karmichael Hunt later revealed contract talks held with then Broncos CEO Bruno Cullen and Broncos coach Ivan Henjak in March 2009 were what turned him away from re-signing with the club.
On 11 June 2009, tests confirmed Karmichael Hunt tested positive to the swine flu influenza, and despite this, played in a 12 June 2009 game against the Bulldogs, despite health advice stating people with the influenza should remain isolated.
On 8 February 2021, after 12 years away from the sport, Karmichael Hunt returned to rugby league, signing with the Souths Logan Magpies in the Queensland Cup.
Karmichael Hunt expressed his desire to return to play for the Brisbane Broncos or another NRL club, and there were reports on 15 April 2021 that he had signed on for a train and trial contract with the Brisbane club.
On 8 June 2021, Karmichael Hunt was named to start at five-eighth for Brisbane's game against the Canberra Raiders.
Karmichael Hunt was therefore eligible to play for either New Zealand or Australia, and he could have played for the Cook Islands or Samoa due to his parents' heritage.
However, Karmichael Hunt pledged his allegiance to Queensland, and therefore Australia, but was not selected for either country that season.
Karmichael Hunt became a possibility for the Australian squad for the 2004 Tri-Nations, but Bennett, who was the Australian coach, decided not to select him due to his inexperience.
In 2006, media speculation suggested that Karmichael Hunt intended to change his allegiance and play for the New Zealand team, but Karmichael Hunt put the speculation to rest by confirming that he would play for Australia.
Karmichael Hunt was taken unconscious from the field and played no further part in the match.
Karmichael Hunt missed the third Origin game because of a foot injury, sustained in the Broncos' Round 15 match, and was replaced by Clinton Schifcofske.
Karmichael Hunt was one of eight Broncos players selected for the Australian team for the end of year Tri-Nations series.
Karmichael Hunt played in the remainder of the Tri-Nations series, which Australia won, Hunt scoring a total of three tries.
The Tri-Nations win ended a good year for Karmichael Hunt, who made his debut for Australia and Queensland before being a part of the premiership-winning Broncos team.
Karmichael Hunt retained his fullback position for Australia in the 2007 ANZAC Test.
Karmichael 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.
Karmichael Hunt played in the third Origin game despite suffering a calf injury during training.
Karmichael 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.
Karmichael Hunt, having never played a senior rugby league game at five-eighth, was controversially selected at the position for Queensland instead of the in-form Scott Prince.
Karmichael Hunt was named on the interchange bench for the second game, making way for Queensland custodian and captain Lockyer in the five-eighth role.
Karmichael Hunt retained his starting position for game three, which Queensland won to take the series.
However Karmichael Hunt was later called into the 24-man squad after Stewart was ruled out with injury.
Karmichael Hunt wasn't picked for the first match, with Slater picked ahead of him, however in the match, interchange player Kurt Gidley sustained an injury which subsequently led to Karmichael Hunt being picked on the interchange bench for the second match.
Karmichael Hunt came on in the 25th minute of the game to replace the injured Justin Hodges and played in his centre position for the remainder of the match which Queensland won.
On 29 July 2009, Karmichael Hunt signed a deal to switch codes and play Australian rules football for the newly formed Gold Coast Football Club which had joined the Australian Football League in the 2011 season.
On 17 October 2009, it was revealed that Karmichael Hunt had agreed to play for the French professional rugby union team Biarritz Olympique based in Biarritz, Aquitaine.
Karmichael Hunt played in the Top 14 French club competition and the European Heineken Cup.
Karmichael Hunt returned to Australia in May 2010 to begin his contract with the Gold Coast Suns.
At the commencement of his AFL contract in 2010, Karmichael Hunt became one of only three AFL players to have earned over a million a year, the others being Jonathan Brown and Chris Judd.
Karmichael Hunt is the first player to appear in the senior grade of both the NRL and the AFL.
Karmichael Hunt made his debut for Biarritz on 21 November 2009 against Clermont.
Karmichael Hunt's signing coincided with the signing of Wallaby James O'Connor from French Top 14 side Toulon.
Karmichael Hunt went on to play in the NRC for Brisbane City.
In 2016, Karmichael Hunt was named in Australia's preliminary 39-man squad for the 2016 series against England.
Karmichael Hunt went on to play in the next 2 home-tests starting at 12 against Scotland and Italy.
On 12 June 2010, Karmichael Hunt played his first Australian rules football match for Victorian Football League team the Gold Coast in their heavy loss against the Coburg Tigers at the Highgate Recreation Reserve in Craigieburn, Victoria.
Karmichael Hunt kicked two goals in quick succession after he was awarded a free kick for a late push from an opponent after his running goal in the goalsquare.
Karmichael Hunt drew some criticism for not getting any kicks and for an inability to read the play, however running a total around 8 kilometres during the game on and off the bench Hunt managed just a handful of possessions and tackles in his side's convincing win.
Karmichael Hunt's coaching staff have speculated him to make an experimental shift into the midfield, however he was again selected at fullback for the match against the Box Hill Hawks.
In Cairns, Karmichael Hunt had a breakthrough game against the Bendigo Bombers showing dramatic improvement.
Karmichael Hunt followed the good form being named in the Gold Coast's best and clearly the best backman against the Sandringham Football Club, again playing in defence showing good run and carry skills with 15 disposals.
Karmichael Hunt kicked his first AFL goal on 28 May 2011 against Geelong at Metricon Stadium.
Karmichael Hunt's promising first season was rewarded by being named on the half-back flank in the Courier Mail 2011 Queensland Team of the Year.
Karmichael Hunt followed this up by winning Gold Coast's inaugural Most Improved Player Award at the club's best and fairest awards on 9 September 2011.
On 5 March 2012, Karmichael Hunt re-signed with the Gold Coast until 2014, continuing his AFL ambassador role, expressing ambitions to become a midfielder.
Karmichael Hunt was elevated to the Gold Coast's leadership group.
Karmichael Hunt began his second season solidly, ranking among the 3 best Gold Coast players in terms of clearances in round 3 against Essendon.
Karmichael Hunt had 16 disposals during the match, and received press notice for a "crunching tackle" of Angus Monfries.
In round 4 Karmichael Hunt had a 20-possession display against Brisbane.
At Cazaly's Stadium in Cairns in front of 10,961 against Richmond in round 16, Karmichael Hunt broke the club's losing drought with an after siren goal in a two-goal performance which again put him in the club's best.