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Article from: PerthNow
Nick Taylor, rugby writer
July 25, 2009 06:30pm
THE Western Force could have a Wallaby partnership of the future after snatching another young talent from under the noses of the Queensland Reds.
They have signed hot property teenager Stefano Hunt who played with prodigious talent James O'Connor in the 1st XV backline at Brisbane's Nudgee College.
Hunt, 17, a cousin of Brisbane Bronco rugby league star Karmichael Hunt, can cover five-eighth, inside centre and fullback.
He was a year behind O'Connor at Nudgee.
He has signed a rookie contract and is predicted to be a big prospect for the 2011 Super season after spending next year training with the senior Force professional squad.
A member of the Queensland Reds academy, Hunt was in last year's Australian Schoolboys side where he played with another young Force member Justin Turner.
When Hunt and O'Connor played in the school same side, Hunt played at five-eighth with O'Connor at centre and Nudgee's director of Rugby and 1st XV coach Todd Dammers said: "He was the one player that could outshine James on occasions.
"When James wasn't the star Stefano was.
"One opposition once described it as trying to tackle smoke when they played together.
"He and James have a great rapport and once Stefano grows into himself (he weighs 89kg and stands 1.78m) they will make a great pairing at the Force.
"They could be a future Wallaby pairing. I wouldn't put anything past Stefano, he is such a talented footballer.
"He will surprise a lot of people with his presence. His footwork has to be seen to be believed and his hands are as good as James.
"He is a very level headed boy, just a great kid. He will kick on."
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/stor...005401,00.html
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Originally Posted by jono
Old Man Jono.
