Hurrell extends Saints contract

St Helens have confirmed that centre Konrad Hurrell has agreed to a one-year contract extension, keeping him in the Red V for the 2025 season.

The powerful Tongan international has been a firm fan favourite since first joining the Club and will enter his fourth year as a Saint.

Grateful to get this opportunity to represent this great club and to be around the boys again ?? https://t.co/iUVxCw667U

— Konman Hurrell (@konmanhurrell) November 18, 2024

Hurrell will wear shirt number 3 for St Helens in 2025.

The 2024 season ended prematurely for Hurrell in July as he sadly suffered a neck injury which required surgery. Whilst he was not in action on the field, Hurrell continued to prove himself to be a terrific representative of the Club, participating in many community initiatives and bringing his unmistakable high energy to every single team training session and matchday.

Following thorough medical checks, the latest of which was conducted late last week, the Club is pleased to confirm Hurrell is clear to play his part in the 2025 season and has begun working hard in Pre-Season with the rest of the team.

During his time in the Red V so far Hurrell has played on 63 occasions and scored 26 tries, seven of which came in 2024, including his 100th career try in the Saints’ Good Friday win over Wigan.

Hurrell’s first season with St Helens ended in the best fashion with a try at Old Trafford in our 2022 Grand Final victory, their fourth successive Super League title. The bulldozing centre also scored a pivotal four-pointer in the Saints’ historic 2023 World Club Challenge victory over Penrith Panthers.

Speaking to saintsrlfc.com about the news of staying a Saint for another season, Konrad Hurrell said: “Firstly I’m grateful, grateful to Wello [Paul Wellens] and Rushy [Mike Rush – CEO] for giving me another opportunity to be involved in this great club. I am buzzing as well!

“It’s just a blessing to be around the boys again and get the opportunity to live my childhood dream again.”

Opening up on his medical journey after being told he would need to have neck surgery, Hurrell was thankful to have a good support network around him and he was keen to prove doubters wrong:

“It was tough, tough to take it on the chin, but I guess that’s what our sport is, sometimes it comes to that with a serious injury. The only option was to get the surgery on it.

“I was trying to put a smile on my face, but inside it was hurting. I didn’t want to finish like that and I was fighting for that in the back of my head. I know a lot of people doubted that I would be back on the field. In my head, I didn’t want to leave this great game like that.

“Fast forward, three or four months later, I’ve got the green light now and it has felt good. There were a lot of people that doubted that I’d be back in this position again. I’m glad that with the help from my partner, Bec, pushing me through those tough times, and being around the boys, they were so good to me, making it feel like I wasn’t injured.

“Got the green light to be back in full contact and full training now, and I’m buzzing about it.”

Hurrell is excited to compete for a centre spot in Paul Wellens’ matchday squad, with a number of young players nipping at the heels to stake their claim for a spot:

“Since I’ve come into the Club, I had to compete, I had to fight for the number or the jersey, but I think this year is a bit more special because it’s the boys that grew up in the Academy of the Club. They are very hungry for that number or that shirt, and I think it’s more special to me to see that.

“I’ve got to stay focused, just because I’ve got the number three doesn’t mean your spot is cemented. Wello’s told us all that.

"We’re looking forward to another great season.”

Head Coach Paul Wellens is happy to keep hold of Hurrell, crediting his attitude and added: “Koni has been a big part of what we’re about since he arrived, and I know he loves representing this club, pulling on that Saints jersey. It’s great that he can extend his time with us.

“It has obviously been a difficult period given his medical situation in recent months, but it is fantastic news that he has got that clearance to train and play again.

“I think we will see the best of Koni with competition for places as always, it’s the start of Pre-Season and a lot of hard work has to be done by everyone. I know he is determined to put in that hard work and deliver the best version of himself, if we get that we will be a stronger team with Konrad in it.”

The Tofoa-born centre made his senior debut with the New Zealand Warriors in 2012 and went on to play seven seasons in the NRL, moving to the Gold Coast Titans in 2016 before scoring for the World All-Star team in a win over the Indigenous All Stars. Konrad made a total of 116 NRL appearances scoring 55 tries.

Hurrell moved to Super League to join Leeds Rhinos ahead of the 2019 campaign and in his first two seasons with the Rhinos he was named in the Super League Dream Team twice, scoring 23 times in 55 matches whilst also being crowned a Challenge Cup winner in 2020.

On the international stage, Hurrell has also won 13 caps for his beloved country of Tonga, playing in the last three Rugby League World Cups for his home nation.