Hunt’s cocaine charges unrelated to Wallabies absence: Cheika

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has insisted Karmichael Hunt's omission from the squad announced today is unrelated to the cocaine scandal engulfing Gold Coast sport, with the cross-code star one of a number of high-profile players to miss out.

Hunt, along with James O'Connor and Nick Cummins, were not named in the 40-man squad that will take part in the Rugby Championship this month.

The former NRL and AFL star was fined $2500 in court over cocaine possession in March after being arrested in February.

The fallout from the drugs scandal continues to plague the Gold Coast, with a number of Titans and Suns players also caught in it.

However, Cheika told media today that was unrelated to Hunt's ommission from the squad.

Full Wallabies Squad:

Rory Arnold, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper, Dave Dennis, James Hanson, Scott Fardy, Tetera Faulkner, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, Scott Higginbotham, Greg Holmes, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne, James Horwill, Samu Kerevi, Sekope Kepu, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Leali'ifano, Stephen Moore, Drew Mitchell, Wycliff Palu, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Dean Mumm, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio, Rob Simmons, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Toby Smith, Henry Speight, Matt Toomua, Joe Tomane, Nic White.