Brisbane Broncos fullback Karmichael Hunt is on the verge of switching codes, with former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones confirming he has had talks with him over a move to Japanese rugby union.
According to the Australian newspaper yesterday, Jones, who is an adviser to Japanese club Suntory, has held informal talks with Hunt's management and plans to step up negotiations when he returns to Japan in the next fortnight.
The news comes after the Broncos terminated contract talks with Hunt. Brisbane pulled out of negotiations after Hunt failed to accept a three-year deal with the club worth more than A$1 million.
Since then, Hunt - who played rugby union at high school - has spoken publicly of his desire to explore his options elsewhere, including rugby union both here and abroad.
Jones appears ready to pounce, according to the Australian.
Under the audacious plan being explored by Hunt's management, the Queensland and Australia fullback would go straight to France when his Broncos commitments are over. He would then join Suntory when the Japanese rugby union season begins in 2010.
The combined deals could be worth more than A$800,000, an amount which would easily eclipse his potential earnings in the NRL.
"I don't get to Japan until next Sunday," Jones told The Weekend Australian. "That's when I would say we will start to move things along."
Jones, who envisages Hunt playing as a rugby union fullback or centre, insisted no deal had been struck with the 22-year-old.
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