The way Tongan centre Konrad Hurrell is playing out of contract is giving Saints a lot to think about.
Currently in his third season with the Red Vee, the powerhouse three-quarter has regained his starting shirt this season after being benched towards the end of the previous one after his injury return.
Hurrell gave the Saints their best performance in a long time last Friday, putting on a strong right edge that helped them defeat the Castleford Tigers 60–4.
“Konrad Hurrell had a great impact on the game at the weekend,” stated coach Paul Wellens.
“He has put a lot of effort into improving his fitness and working hard on the physical aspect of the game.
“And when he does do that and he stays on the right side of it he gives us something and he was almost unstoppable at times on the weekend.”
He clarified that he and some of the other players who were not under contract were still in talks with the club.
Wellens continued, saying, “I believe those conversations will go on.
We’ve recently had a lot of talks with a lot of players, and we’ll keep having talks with Koni and all the other players.
“What Konrad needs to understand is if it he keeps on working hard, keeps on the right side of his fitness and keeps impacting the games in the way he did on Friday, then it’s going to be very hard not to keep him around.”
Hurrell has stated that he wants to stay with the Saints, and his performances will give the board, CEO, and coach a lot to consider.
Saints don’t have many three-quarters, but they do have a 19-year-old captain of the England Academy in Jonny Vaughan.
Additionally, they have great expectations for Dayon Sambou, a speedster who can play both centre and wing.
Despite the demand for new players, Hurrell’s decision to stay on despite turning 33 in August may eventually make room for the younger players to step up.
Vaughan, who has been playing on Dual Reg with Swinton, is a talented and confident player, but the Saints will need to consider both of those factors when making decisions about recruiting and retention.
