St Helens resolve Konrad Hurrell future as call made on centre’s health

St Helens have made a call on the future of centre Konrad Hurrell which has provided a lot of clarity on the Red Vee’s 2025 squad.

The 33-year-old centre was off contract at the end of the 2024 season, however, there was an option that would allow him to be retained for an extra year.

That option has long been spoke about regarding whether St Helens would trigger it and tie down the former Tongan international, something that has now been confirmed.

St Helens have announced that they’ve re-signed Hurrell for the 2025 season in a move that firms up their backline for the upcoming campaign.

In an off-season of change that has seen stalwart Tommy Makinson depart and their 2024 recruit Waqa Blake leave for Bradford Bulls, Saints have their presumed first-choice back-line solidified now that Hurrell’s deal is confirmed.

Evidence of that is the fact St Helens have confirmed that Hurrell will wear the number three shirt instead of 23 as he wore previously.

St Helens re-sign fan favourite for 2025

It had been a case of ‘Will they or won’t they’ regarding Hurrell’s future for some time with head coach Paul Wellens being quizzed about the centre’s future regularly by the media throughout the second half of the season.

A decision has now finally been made and it’s one that will be pleasing to all St Helens fans as the fan favourite centre signs on and in doing so, provides clarity on the club’s status in the market going forward.

Hurrell signing means that St Helens have filled their overseas quota spots and they’ve obviously filled the gap at centre as well, addressing two of their biggest issues in terms of recruitment and retention.

The Red Vee can now move on with pre-season training, which they started last week, safe in the knowledge that they’ve tied down their man.

Confirmed Hurrell’s new deal, St Helens announced: “St Helens R.F.C. is pleased to confirm that star centre Konrad Hurrell has agreed to a one-year contract extension, keeping one of the Betfred Super League’s most beloved stars in the Red V for the 2025 season.

“Hurrell will wear shirt number 3 in 2025, with his number being the second new squad number that the Club has formally confirmed following Tristan Sailor taking the #6 shirt.”

There was also confirmation that Hurrell, who had his season end prematurely due to a neck injury, is fully fit to play with the last of a thorough set of medical checks taking place last week.

Speaking on his new deal, the 33-year-old said: “Firstly I’m grateful, grateful to Wello [Paul Wellens] and Rushy [Mike Rush – CEO] for giving me another opportunity to be involved in this great club. I am buzzing as well!

“It’s just a blessing to be around the boys again and get the opportunity to live my childhood dream again.”