Karmichael Hunt says he feels for Israel Folau but believes the Wallabies star’s absence could allow the NSW Waratahs to finally get some consistency in their backline.

Folau faces a Rugby Australia code of conduct hearing early next month after his latest controversial social media posting.

Like Folau, Hunt has fallen foul of RA during his rugby career and received fines and suspensions after he pleaded guilty to drug possession charges in 2015 and 2018.

Hunt and Folau first played together in senior rugby league more than a decade ago when they were part of Queensland’s State of Origin team and the Kangaroos World Cup squad in 2008, and were Brisbane NRL teammates in 2009.

They faced each other in the AFL in 2012 when Folau was part of the GWS when they logged their first win, against Hunt’s Gold Coast side.