10-20-2015, 04:35 PM
Warriors star Konrad Hurrell free to leave but fighting for his NRL spot
Nathan Ryan Exclusive
FOX SPORTS
October 19, 2015 10:16AM
WARRIORS fan favourite Konrad Hurrell’s been told he is free to explore his options for 2016 - but the hulking centre insists he’s not going anywhere.
After a lacklustre season filled with inconsistent form, stints in NSW Cup and suspension, it is understood the Warriors won’t stand in the 24-year-old’s way should he seek a release.
Speculation has been rife that Hurrell could be heading to England but, in an exclusive interview with foxsports.com.au, Hurrell has revealed his plan to fight his way back into the starting side and prove his worth.
“It’s up to me if I want to be with the Warriors,” Hurrell said.
“(The club) said I need to be at my best if I want to stay at the club.
“I want to stay with them to prove that I can be the best. I want to prove it on and off the field.”
Since making his NRL debut with the Auckland-based NRL club in 2012, Hurrell has become one of the most exciting, yet frustrating players in the game.
The 2015 campaign proved to be his most disappointing season, making just 12 top grade appearances and scoring only four tries.
It marked the first time Hurrell had failed to score at least 12 tries in a season.
Although he penned a new deal with the club back in March which has locked him up until the end of 2018, Hurrell knows nothing is promised in the world of professional sport.
“Whatever happens, happens but I’m still contracted with the Warriors,” Hurell said.
“I wasn’t too happy with my year so hopefully it’ll be a big step up for me next year, I’ll do well and the club will be happy to keep me.
“After this year I felt myself going down.
“I felt sorry for myself (but) you always need a bump to get back up and to your best.
“This is my career and I love doing what I do.
“I need to get on the horse, have a big pre-season and be professional 24/7.”
Showing how badly he wants to be at the club, Hurrell pulled out of Tonga’s 28-8 World Cup qualifying win over Cook Islands on Saturday following an honest talk with coach Andrew McFadden.
The Warriors mentor insisted Hurrell erred on the side of caution having struggled with a knee complaint all season.
After returning from last summer’s break overweight, Hurrell said he’s determined to not let history repeat.
“The body needed recovery so I wanted to make sure I was right heading into a big pre-season,” he said.
“The club didn’t want me to play. I’m contracted with the Warriors and they look after me really well so I have to listen to them as my employer.
“They knew and I knew myself I didn’t have a great season. It was one of the worst I’d ever played and part of it was injury.
“They want me in full fitness for the off-season because I didn’t get an off-season last year.”
The Warriors are expected to return for pre-season training in early November.
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Nathan Ryan Exclusive
FOX SPORTS
October 19, 2015 10:16AM
WARRIORS fan favourite Konrad Hurrell’s been told he is free to explore his options for 2016 - but the hulking centre insists he’s not going anywhere.
After a lacklustre season filled with inconsistent form, stints in NSW Cup and suspension, it is understood the Warriors won’t stand in the 24-year-old’s way should he seek a release.
Speculation has been rife that Hurrell could be heading to England but, in an exclusive interview with foxsports.com.au, Hurrell has revealed his plan to fight his way back into the starting side and prove his worth.
“It’s up to me if I want to be with the Warriors,” Hurrell said.
“(The club) said I need to be at my best if I want to stay at the club.
“I want to stay with them to prove that I can be the best. I want to prove it on and off the field.”
Since making his NRL debut with the Auckland-based NRL club in 2012, Hurrell has become one of the most exciting, yet frustrating players in the game.
The 2015 campaign proved to be his most disappointing season, making just 12 top grade appearances and scoring only four tries.
It marked the first time Hurrell had failed to score at least 12 tries in a season.
Although he penned a new deal with the club back in March which has locked him up until the end of 2018, Hurrell knows nothing is promised in the world of professional sport.
“Whatever happens, happens but I’m still contracted with the Warriors,” Hurell said.
“I wasn’t too happy with my year so hopefully it’ll be a big step up for me next year, I’ll do well and the club will be happy to keep me.
“After this year I felt myself going down.
“I felt sorry for myself (but) you always need a bump to get back up and to your best.
“This is my career and I love doing what I do.
“I need to get on the horse, have a big pre-season and be professional 24/7.”
Showing how badly he wants to be at the club, Hurrell pulled out of Tonga’s 28-8 World Cup qualifying win over Cook Islands on Saturday following an honest talk with coach Andrew McFadden.
The Warriors mentor insisted Hurrell erred on the side of caution having struggled with a knee complaint all season.
After returning from last summer’s break overweight, Hurrell said he’s determined to not let history repeat.
“The body needed recovery so I wanted to make sure I was right heading into a big pre-season,” he said.
“The club didn’t want me to play. I’m contracted with the Warriors and they look after me really well so I have to listen to them as my employer.
“They knew and I knew myself I didn’t have a great season. It was one of the worst I’d ever played and part of it was injury.
“They want me in full fitness for the off-season because I didn’t get an off-season last year.”
The Warriors are expected to return for pre-season training in early November.
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