SAINTS fans will be beaming today with the news that hugely popular Tongan test centre Konrad Hurrell has signed up for at least another season after agreeing a 12-month contract extension.
Although Hurrell's initial signing from Leeds raised a few eyebrows when he joined Saints at the end of the 2021 season, he has proved himself to be a character and a match-winner - underlined by his huge contribution to last Sunday's win over Hull KR.
Not only did he produce a sublime inside ball to set up Saints' opening minute score - but his carries in the second half put them on the front foot whem the game was in the balance.
He has scored five tries and come up with six times in 15 appearances in the red vee.
Hurrell said: “I signed for Saints for one year last season and it was a case of seeing how I went from there.
"I didn’t have a great year personally and I felt like I needed to turn it around coming into a Club with a great environment, great players and staff to try and get my game back to where it needed to be.
“Now I have got another opportunity to stay here a bit longer and I couldn’t say ‘no’. My partner and I are excited to be here for another year.
"I have been enjoying it so much here, I am happy, playing well so it is great to get the opportunity to stay for another year next season."
READ: Kristian Woolf on Konrad Hurrell's new deal at St Helens>
Hurrell has developed a real bond with the fans - who he always delights with his try celebrations.
On the fans, Hurrell continued: “I love playing in Super League because the fans get involved so much.
"I love connecting with the fans and they have been great with me. They come to watch us week in week and out pay our wages so I am more than happy to get involved with them!”
Previous to joining the Champions, Hurrell linked up with the Leeds Rhinos ahead of the 2019 season from NRL side Gold Coast Titans and was named in the Super League Dream Team in his first two seasons, scoring 23 times in 55 matches and being crowned a Challenge Cup winner in 2020.
Before that he had played seven seasons in the NRL having made his debut with the New Zealand Warriors in 2012. He moved to the Gold Coast in 2016 before scoring for the World All Star team in a win over the Indigenous All Stars. He made a total of 116 NRL appearances scoring 55 tries.
Hurrell has also won 11 caps for Tonga on the international stage, playing in the last two World Cups and will hope to feature in boss Kristian Woolf’s side at the World Cup.
Pictures: Bernard Platt
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