Transfer news: St Helens head coach Paul Wellens reveals Konrad Hurrell decision as clubs circle

It’s that time of the season when player transfers are taking over the daily news coverage in rugby league, with players off-contract at St Helens and other Super League clubs trying to secure their futures for 2025 and beyond.

One player who is not unfamiliar with that feeling of uncertainty is Konrad Hurell, who this time last season was also ‘playing for a new contract’ at Saints.

This time around there has been more speculation about his future, with the Tongan veteran attracting interest from other clubs in Super League. That interest often comes when clubs get wind that there may not be an offer on the table at their current club.

However, St Helens head coach Paul Wellens lauded the display of cult hero Hurrell in their 60-4 thrashing of Castleford Tigers on Fruday night, and feels performances like this could help him stake a claim for a new deal.

The powerful centre penned a contract extension last year to keep him at the Totally Wicked Stadium until the end of this season, however, as stated, he remains without an offer for next season.

Speaking to the media after the game, Wellens said he ‘absolutely’ wants to keep Hurrell in the Red Vee next year, especially if he continues his recent form.

“Absolutely, if he keeps playing like that. Konrad’s biggest challenge has always been keeping himself fit and keeping himself on top of his physical capabilities. When he does that, he’s as effective as anyone in the competition. What you saw in Konrad tonight is a culmination of a lot of sacrifices that he’s made throughout the course of pre-season and early on in the season.”

He added: “We all love him at the club. He’s obviously a huge character and I’m really pleased for him tonight to get the rewards for all those sacrifices that he makes.”

Hurrell began the season out of favour, with Waqa Blake and Mark Percival the preferred options in the centres; however, he has quickly regained the form that made him a mainstay in their 2022 title win.

He also arguably put in his best performance of the season last night against Castleford. The former Tongan international made three assists on the way to their 56-point win in West Yorkshire, and he was a constant handful all night.

“I mean Konrad’s a handful when you keep it simple for him,” said Wellens on his performance. “Just give him the ball and let him run, and he’s hard to tackle.”

Whilst he was quick to praise his centre, he said he needs to keep his good form up if he wants to stay in the team.

“I think every player is playing for a position in the team and Konrad is no different. What we want is people competing to be in the team and behind him he’s got someone like Ben Davies who’s been training brilliantly and not quite had an opportunity.

He added: “We’ve got a whole host of young kids in the squad who are chomping at the bit ready to go. So the challenge for anybody who’s got the jersey is to keep working hard to keep it but very pleased with what not only Konrad did but what the rest of the team did tonight.”

St Helens run riot to go top of the table: Full report

Title-chasing St Helens ran in 52 unanswered points in the second half to romp to a comfortable 60-4 victory over Castleford Tigers.

An early red card to Tommy Makinson threatened to derail the game for the visitors; but a red card to Castleford’s Liam Horne opened the floodgates for Paul Wellens’ side, as they ran in eight tries to march to the summit.

St Helens brought the heat early doors, as Sione Mata’utia crossed after three minutes. A clever kick from Jonny Lomax was swatted back by James Bell, and the powerful forward pounced on the loose ball to score.

Castleford thought they hit back through Innes Senior, however he was dragged into touch in the act of scoring. St Helens didn’t escape scot free though, as Tommy Makinson was sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle on Tex Hoy in the same attack.

Cas again had a try ruled out in the next set as Louis Senior was dragged into touch before sending Corey Hall over.

St Helens responded well to Makinson’s red card, and peppered the Castleford line, but the Fords defence stood tall and held them out.

Defence swiftly turned into attack for Cas, but L. Senior was stopped short of the line on the last and the chance went begging.

The 12-man St Helens quickly made them pay for this as Jonny Lomax added his side’s second. A powerful break from Mark Percival unlocked the Fords’ defence, and he was able to connect with Lomax for the score.

Castleford quickly became their own worst enemy. Costly knock-ons and penalties gave St Helens easy reprieves; however, they couldn’t capitalise.

In the dying embers of the first half, the game had a much-needed shot in the arm. Jack Welsby chalked off for obstruction; however,  Castleford responded well, as L. Senior finally got his name on the scoresheet. A sweeping move through the Tigers right edge got the ball to the Hull KR loanee, and he danced around three Saints defenders to score.

St Helens again got off to a bright start in the second half, as Welsby dived over after two minutes. A stellar break from Daryl Clark marched the Saints up the pitch, and he connected with his England teammate for the try.

A stroke of luck nearly gave St Helens their second of the half just three minutes later, as Matty Lees pounced on the ball in the in-goal; but it was chalked off for a knock-on.

Things quickly turned sour for the Fords. A tip-tackle from Liam Horne saw the PNG international sent-off and gave Mark Percival an easy penalty goal in the process.

St Helens rubbed salt into the gaping wound with three quick-fire tries. The first fell to Percival, as he dived on Lomax’s grubber-kick. The second came through Waqa Blake, as he reaped the rewards of a stellar Konrad Hurrell line-break. The ‘Hurrellcane’ was at it again for the third, as he broke through the line to put the try on a plate for Welsby.

They nearly added a fourth too, after yet another line-break from Hurrell, but a forward later in the set stopped the attack in its tracks.

This also gave the Tigers a chance to strike, but I. Senior was tackled just short of the line on the last tackle.

St Helens again made them pay, as James Bell dived over from a brilliant Lomax offload to add his name to the scoresheet.

The versatile forward was at it again five minutes later, as he danced his way around three defenders to score. St Helens weren’t done there though, as Blake leapt over the corner flag to notch his second of the game.

It became a contest to see which Saint could add their name to the scoresheet next after this, as Lewis Dodd ran under the sticks for the visitors’ tenth of the game.

With the clock winding down, Blake completed his hat-trick as he collected Hurrell’s pass to cross out wide and put the cherry on top of a fine win.