Karmichael Hunt has the backing of Wayne Bennett as he returns to rugby league and begins the transition from player to coach.
The three-code talent will play for Souths Logan in the return of rugby league's Queensland Cup, 17 years after debuting for Brisbane in the NRL.
Hunt has enjoyed careers in the AFL with the Gold Coast Suns and Super Rugby with the Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs.
The Queenslander has scored a goal to win after the siren for the Suns, attained six Test caps with the Wallabies, played 11 rugby league Tests and made 10 State of Origin appearances.
Released by the Waratahs as they rebuild their list, Hunt is 34 and could still play in the NRL's second-tier league for several seasons but is already eyeing his next challenge.
"I had a chat to Wayne because I'd seriously been thinking about getting into coaching," Hunt told the QRL website.
"(I've had) 17 years across three different sports at the top, playing for some of the best coaches and some coaches who probably didn't achieve what they'd like to.
"I've always been a student of the game ... I feel like I've got a bit of IP (intellectual property) to give back."
He said Bennett, who coached him in Brisbane, had pointed him in Souths Logan's direction when he went asking for advice.
"Wayne doesn't have to say a lot to get his message across," Hunt, who played junior rugby league for Souths Acacia Ridge, said.
"Having him as a 17-year-old for seven years as a head coach is an experience you'd love every kid to have, but unfortunately not every kid gets it."
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