St Helens chairman explains the reasoning behind signing Konrad Hurrell

When St Helens announced the signing of Konrad Hurrell, a number of fans were divided.

Hurrell had just done three years at the Leeds Rhinos, but was leaving for a one-year deal at St Helens after his own admission that his 2021 season had not been the best.

However, Saints head coach Kristian Woolf has spent a great deal of time with Hurrell in his Tonga national coaching position with chairman Eamonn McManus detailing that the centre will have to work extremely hard to earn a role at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

“Without Konrad Hurrell we’ve got a very strong squad, but he adds depth and is obviously known to Kristian,” McManus told the Saints TV podcast.

“He was available and it is a one season deal, so he is going to have to work for his position.”

McManus was also keen to stress that Woolf has all the faith in Hurrell to make it work.

“He’s done three years at Leeds and two of those he was in the Dream Team.

“He was a marquee player whilst he was there, but he isn’t with us.

“Kristian is confident he can get the best out of him.”

Hurrell became St Helens’ fifth signing ahead of the 2022 season with the Tongan powerhouse joining Will Hopoate, James Bell, Curtis Sironen and