New deal for St Helens star is a “no brainer” as Paul Wellens keen to tie down off-contract international
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.
St Helens boss Paul Wellens is determined to get off-contract star centre Konrad Hurrell signed on for 2024 in a ‘no brainer’ decision.
Hurrell, 31, is enjoying his second season at the Totally Wicked Stadium, having made the move from Leeds initially on a one-year deal, extending it for the 2023 campaign.
The Tonga international has made 38 appearances for the four-peat champions to date, including 10 in the current season, scoring a total of 18 tries.
His contract expires at the end of the current campaign, with Wellens planning to tie down his star centre.
“We’re really keen to just get that done and get Konrad signed up and we move on,” Wellens told Love Rugby League.
“It’s a no-brainer on our part and I think it’s a no-brainer on his.
“When we first signed Konrad Hurrell a couple of years ago, there was more than a few raised eyebrows.
“Kristian Woolf, who sat in this chair previous to me, was really strong on the fact that this is a bloke who, if we can get in our environment and get him enjoying his footy again, then he can be a real asset to us.
“Everybody in the club has a lot of trust and faith in Kristian and his judgement on players and he’s got that one absolutely spot on and I’m really grateful that he did because I’m sat here now with Konrad Hurrell in my team.”
“Konrad Hurrell is such an important player for us”
Hurrell has crossed for six tries so far in 2023, and was part of the derby winning outfit that defeated Wigan 34-16 at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Friday in Super League.
The victory saw St Helens move to fifth on the Super League table, despite their slow start to the season following their World Club Challenge victory over Penrith Panthers in Australia.
“Konrad is such an important player for us,” Wellens continued.
“He’s a well liked and enthusiastic member of the group.
“What he does do really well, is work so hard on his defensive side of the game.
“He knows he gets targeted there at times but we’re comfortable with that because he finds an effort, he gets the best out of himself in those situations and then with ball in hand, he gives us something a bit different.”
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