Karmichael Hunt may be trying to sell his passion for the sky blue jersey of the Waratahs but former Brisbane Broncos clubmate Peter Ryan isn't buying it.
Like Hunt, Ryan is a former Queensland State of Origin representative and believes the thought of playing for NSW against his home state in Saturday's Super Rugby clash will cause Hunt to "dry retch into his mouth".
Hunt made the move south this season after Reds coach Brad Thorn made it clear the tri-code pioneer would not be selected in his Super Rugby side despite holding a contract.
The 32-year-old had played his entire career for Queensland clubs before linking with the Waratahs and while he said earlier this week he would be a passionate contributor for NSW in the interstate clash on Saturday night, Reds defence coach Ryan believes it goes against his footy DNA.
"Now days it's a lot more of a business but if you're given the opportunity to go and play for NSW as a State of Origin player, or even work for NSW, I'd have to say that I'd genuinely have to think about it," former Brumby Ryan said.
"So the amount of money must have been pretty good for K (Hunt) to head down there because to pull on a blue jersey and call it his own, that's a tough job."
Ryan said Hunt may well believe his own statement that he would bring his passion for the interstate contest to the blue jersey.
"I think that's because of his professionalism as a rugby player and a sports person," Ryan said.
"But when he walks past a mirror and looks into the mirror, I hope he doesn't dry retch into his mouth."
A young Reds side perhaps unaware of rugby's greatest domestic rivalry has to look little further than its own coaching staff to find the venom that Queenslanders hold for NSW.
Head coach Brad Thorn and Ryan both donned the maroon Origin jersey but Ryan said it was scrum doctor Cameron Lillicrap who was ensuring the Reds' deep feeling for the Waratahs clash survived.
"You've only got to talk to Cameron Lillicrap, he's a historian of rugby in his own right walking around the place," Ryan said of making sure the next generation of players understood the significance of the Waratahs' clash.
"The hatred that he would have as a player from his days for NSW when he was playing for Queensland hasn't diminished any because of his age.
"And I think he has the ability to pass that hatred on. But it's the same for all of us.
"In reality, it's another game of rugby that we've got to win.
"The added bonus is we get to play it against NSW and in their house and hopefully we come away with the points and put them in a backward seat."
The Reds take on the Waratahs at the SCG on Saturday March 9, kicking off at 7:45pm AEDT, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
