KARMICHAEL Hunt has been named in the Reds squad for 2019 but Queensland Super Rugby fans shouldn’t get their hopes up of seeing the cross code star strut his stuff at Suncorp Stadium.

The 31-year-old utility back remains contracted to the Reds and Rugby Australia next season but didn’t get on the park under zero tolerance coach Brad Thorn this year.

That looks set to continue next season despite the Reds listing the former Wallaby in a squad of 30 players on Wednesday.

Hunt’s inclusion appears to be purely a box ticking exercise and, tellingly, there was no mention of him in the Reds press release.

A Reds spokesman said “Karmichael Hunt is a Reds contracted player next season.”

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The former NRL star had enjoyed a breakout 2017 season, playing six Tests for the Wallabies.

But it all came crashing down when he was arrested on drugs charges in December last year — his second run in with the law after pleading guilty to cocaine possession in 2015.

In May this year Hunt was fined $10,000 by Rugby Australia and banned for four games as well as being placed in a 12 month targeted illicit drugs testing program.

Hunt has been playing for Brisbane City in the National Rugby Championship and in September told Fox Sports’ Nick McArdle about his ambition to win Thorn’s trust again.

“My dream world would be to run out there with the Reds again and play some footy for the Wallabies again,” Hunt said.

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Karmichael Hunt of Brisbane City in action at Woollahra Oval in Sydney. Source: Getty Images

“That’s my dream goal and I’m doing everything possible to put myself in that position for next year.

“This last chapter is probably my most important.

“I’m not going to be able to wipe away the past and nor do I want to.

“But I want to own it and I want to move forward and put footy at the forefront of the talking points when people speak about my name.”

Other unwanted Reds stars have had to find new homes, with Quade Cooper joining the Rebels and James Slipper the Brumbies.

Thorn has retained 27 players from his 2018 squad and there are a sprinkling of further signings to come, with spots remaining to fill at prop, loose forward, fly half and centre.

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Cooper signs with Rebels 0:59

The Reds finished 13th of 15 teams in Thorn’s first season at the helm, with a 6-10 record.

“We’ve managed to keep a fairly consistent squad for 2019,” Thorn said.

“We’ve retained roughly 90 per cent of the players we had last year, who have continually played with each other in both Super Rugby and in the NRC.

“A handful have been rewarded for their hunger and hard work during 2018.

“After coming through our Queensland pathway we are pleased to see them get their opportunity and be a part of our Reds squad.

“The squad will be supported by an excellent coaching staff here at Ballymore and we’re excited for the challenge ahead in 2019.”

QLD want to go back-to-back 1:02

REDS 2019 SQUAD

Props

Harry Hoopert

JP Smith

Ruan Smith

Taniela Tupou

One TBA

Hookers

Efi Ma’afu

Alex Mafi

Brandon Paenga-Amosa

Locks

Angus Blyth

Harry Hockings

Izack Rodda

Lukhan Tui

Loose Forwards

Scott Higginbotham

Adam Korczyk

Angus Scott-Young

Caleb Timu

Harry Wilson

Liam Wright

One TBA

Scrumhalves

Tate McDermott

Moses Sorovi

James Tuttle

Flyhalves

Hamish Stewart

One TBA

Centres and back three

Chris Feauai-Sautia

Samu Kerevi

Duncan Paia’aua

Filipo Daugunu

Will Eadie

Karmichael Hunt

Izaia Perese

Jordan Petaia

Aidan Toua

One TBA