St Helens’ Konrad Hurrell makes retirement fear admission after overcoming injury to extend deal

It took a long time to be confirmed, but St Helens have finally announced that Konrad Hurrell will be with the club in 2025 after renewing his contract.

Originally, his contract was up in 2024 – which would have meant Paul Wellens’ side had a quota spot free to make another overseas signing.

However, after receiving the all-clear after medical checks due to his neck injury, he has signed on with Saints for another season.

On confirmation of this, Hurrell said via a club statement: “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.”

He’d even speak about his fear of ‘finishing like that’ after being ruled out for the second half of the season with his neck injury, also making reference to those who doubted him.

He said: “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.”

Konrad Hurrell speaks on “fight” for places in 2025 for St Helens

Injury concerns for Saints in 2024 meant a number of academy players were given opportunities, and Hurrell referenced this, saying: “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.

“These young guns are fighting for this jersey… They will never back down, they’ll be in Wello’s ears for the whole freaking season too! So 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.”

He may, however, have a decent chance of a starting role as they’re yet to make a signing in the centres for 2025.

Whilst Hurrell’s announcement saw him confirmed as the club’s new number three, the rest of the squad numbers have since been announced as well.