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Karmichael Hunt's career options have suffered another blow, with the Australian Rugby Union closing the door on him despite a late bid by the Waratahs to snare the Brisbane Broncos star.
As rugby clubs in France and Japan step up moves to sign Hunt, The Sunday Mail reports the Broncos custodian has received an expression of interest from the Waratahs.
But Hunt's hopes of playing rugby within Australia were dealt a terminal blow on Saturday when ARU high performance chief David Nucifora declared the organisation had no desire to help NSW poach the former Test full-back.
The development comes just days after Brisbane withdrew their three-year, $1.25 million offer to Hunt, who faces the prospect of moving abroad to continue his footballing career.
The Waratahs contacted Hunt's manager David Riolo during the week, but they cannot table a competitive deal unless the ARU comes to the party with a top-up component.
Hunt stands to make upwards of $800,000 a season by leaving Australia to play rugby in France or Japan.
Nucifora said the ARU would not engage in a bidding war for Hunt, regardless of any fresh interest from one of Australia's four rugby provinces.
"I guess Karmichael will have to make up his mind on what he wants to do, but at this point we won't be opening up the topic again," he said.
"We had some discussions when he was talking with Queensland, going back quite a few months, and we made it clear at that point that we didn't have an interest in pursuing it.
"Since that point in time, the Waratahs haven't spoken with us at all about being interested in Karmichael.
"We haven't thought about Karmichael since we were last dealing with Queensland.
"What happened with the Broncos (withdrawing their offer) doesn't change things. The Tahs haven't spoken to us and they would need to for anything to go forward with him.
"We've decided we're not interested and we won't be revisiting that."
Should Hunt decide to announce his defection in the coming weeks, the Maroons maestro risks being black-listed from selection for Queensland and Australia.
But Maroons coach Mal Meninga yesterday reaffirmed his commitment to fielding the best available side for the annual representative series, even if it results in Hunt becoming the first rugby-bound player selected to play at Origin level.
ARL selectors have in the past overlooked players who have committed to rugby union. Mark Gasnier missed out on last year's World Cup after announcing he would join French club Paris St Germain.
Lote Tuqiri also was overlooked for Kangaroos duty after announcing his plans to join the Waratahs in 2002. Both played for their states during those seasons but that was before they declared their rugby intentions.
Australian Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr has previously said if Hunt announces plans to switch codes, his position in the Maroons and Kangaroos sides would be placed in jeopardy.
Meninga insisted form would provide the sole basis for his Origin plans. When pressed, he said he would consider Hunt, who has played seven times for Queensland since 2006.
"I'm pretty kosher with it but the selectors might have other ideas," he said.
As rugby clubs in France and Japan step up moves to sign Hunt, The Sunday Mail reports the Broncos custodian has received an expression of interest from the Waratahs.
But Hunt's hopes of playing rugby within Australia were dealt a terminal blow on Saturday when ARU high performance chief David Nucifora declared the organisation had no desire to help NSW poach the former Test full-back.
The development comes just days after Brisbane withdrew their three-year, $1.25 million offer to Hunt, who faces the prospect of moving abroad to continue his footballing career.
The Waratahs contacted Hunt's manager David Riolo during the week, but they cannot table a competitive deal unless the ARU comes to the party with a top-up component.
Hunt stands to make upwards of $800,000 a season by leaving Australia to play rugby in France or Japan.
Nucifora said the ARU would not engage in a bidding war for Hunt, regardless of any fresh interest from one of Australia's four rugby provinces.
"I guess Karmichael will have to make up his mind on what he wants to do, but at this point we won't be opening up the topic again," he said.
"We had some discussions when he was talking with Queensland, going back quite a few months, and we made it clear at that point that we didn't have an interest in pursuing it.
"Since that point in time, the Waratahs haven't spoken with us at all about being interested in Karmichael.
"We haven't thought about Karmichael since we were last dealing with Queensland.
"What happened with the Broncos (withdrawing their offer) doesn't change things. The Tahs haven't spoken to us and they would need to for anything to go forward with him.
"We've decided we're not interested and we won't be revisiting that."
Should Hunt decide to announce his defection in the coming weeks, the Maroons maestro risks being black-listed from selection for Queensland and Australia.
But Maroons coach Mal Meninga yesterday reaffirmed his commitment to fielding the best available side for the annual representative series, even if it results in Hunt becoming the first rugby-bound player selected to play at Origin level.
ARL selectors have in the past overlooked players who have committed to rugby union. Mark Gasnier missed out on last year's World Cup after announcing he would join French club Paris St Germain.
Lote Tuqiri also was overlooked for Kangaroos duty after announcing his plans to join the Waratahs in 2002. Both played for their states during those seasons but that was before they declared their rugby intentions.
Australian Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr has previously said if Hunt announces plans to switch codes, his position in the Maroons and Kangaroos sides would be placed in jeopardy.
Meninga insisted form would provide the sole basis for his Origin plans. When pressed, he said he would consider Hunt, who has played seven times for Queensland since 2006.
"I'm pretty kosher with it but the selectors might have other ideas," he said.