Hunt to start on Reds bench

Melbourne - Karmichael Hunt's quest to repair his tarnished image after a six-week ban for cocaine possession will start from the bench in the Reds' Super Rugby match against Melbourne Rebels on Friday.

Hunt, one of Australia's highest-profile athletes and regarded at the start of the season as a potential bolter for the Wallabies' World Cup squad, was fined by a Gold Coast court after pleading guilty to drug charges in September and October of last year.

The 28-year-old avoided a conviction but his halo has slipped after having forged a successful career in both Australian Rules football and rugby league.