Bennett Has High Hopes for 17 yr
old Kiwi

The Brisbane Broncos will move very quickly to fend off any rugby union poachers by signing New Zealand-born rookie Karmichael Hunt to a long-term deal with the National Rugby League (NRL) club.

The move comes after Hunt, 17, was named in Brisbane's top squad for their opening NRL match against the New Zealand Warriors in Brisbane on March 14.

Hunt has been named on the bench but there is a strong chance he will run on at centre against the Warriors at the expense of Tonie Carroll, who could revert to the pack or the interchange bench.

If the Auckland teenager played he would become the youngest ever Broncos first-grader, an honour held by halfback Brett Seymour.

Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen admitted the re-signing of Hunt was a priority with the former schoolboy rugby league and union star coming off contract at the end of the year.

"From all reports, rugby union is very interested in Karmichael," Cullen said.

"I understand they were disappointed he chose league but it's a game he's keen to succeed in and we're enthusiastic about his long-term future."

Hunt's manager David Riolo told The League Correspondent that he hoped to upgrade Hunt's contract for the remainder of 2004 because he is on "a junior-type deal" at the moment.

The Broncos see him as a long-term lock but he will start his career as a centre, wing or fullback.