Grand Final winner Konrad Hurrell says he hopes to “squeeze” into the Tonga squad after his season to remember with St Helens. Twelve months ago, that would have been highly unlikely after the powerful centre had endured a miserable campaign with Leeds and was offloaded by the Headingley club.
But he’s been reinvigorated at Saints under Tonga coach Kristian Woolf, his surprise arrival there proving to be one of the best bits of recruitment throughout Super League in 2022. Hurrell gave a towering display to help defeat his former club Rhinos in Saturday’s Old Trafford title decider, scoring one try and causing Leeds all sorts of problems.
But if he gets picked for the World Cup, which kicks off in less than three weeks time, it’ll simply be a bonus. Hurrell, 31, said: “I wasn’t even going to make the 17 here (at Saints) so my goal was to try to play week in, week out.
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“That’s when I get my best footy. If I get picked for the World Cup, I get picked. My main focus was getting in this 17. I am excited for the World Cup. I think Woolfy’s picking the team next week. Hopefully I’ll find a way to squeeze in.”
Hurrell was dancing on the Old Trafford turf wrapped up in a Tonga flag after Saints delivered an unprecedented fourth straight Super League Grand Final success.
“The fans brought it in,” he explained, with British supporters having already got behind the disaster fund after Tonga was devastated by a tsunami earlier this year. “I’m a bit emotional because the year Tonga’s had and all the fans of Super League clubs have donated to help my little nation.
“I’m buzzing with the win as all my family back home got up early to watch the game. I wish my mum was here, too, but hopefully she’s watching upstairs.”
Tonga will be based in St Helens when they arrive for the World Cup. Ex-New Zealand Warriors star Hurrell, meanwhile, thanked Saints for giving his career a lifeline.
He explained: “I think last year was the toughest year I've ever had in my career. Footy-wise it was the worst and off the field as well. My head wasn’t in the right space but to come into Saints, Woolfy, Rushy (Mike Rush) and the boys here I think saved my career.
“Coming into this final, I knew I wouldn’t make that 17 but I had to work my arse off to try and squeeze in there. A few boys were injured and I got my opportunity and here I am. I was buzzing about getting it.”
Was the Grand Final win all the more special coming against his former club? “Not really,” insisted Hurrell, who scored 23 tries in 55 games for Leeds, where he also won the 2020 Challenge Cup.
“It’s just that it’s my first one. I think that’s why it’s special. But I put my hand up to the (Rhinos) boys. Half way through the season no one would think they could be here. They've worked hard, made sacrifices and turned up tonight as well.
On the secret of Saints’ success, he added: “It’s the whole squad. All the injuries we’ve had, Woolfy will pick someone and they’ll literally come in and fill the spot. Everyone is just buying into whatever’s been told by the coaches: no one’s moaning, no one’s making excuses. Everyone just puts the effort in and that’s what’s got us here.”
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