Tongan international Konrad Hurrell’s emotional message to country following tsunami

This morning was a tragic one as reports funnelled in from Tonga about a tsunami following a volcanic eruption under the ocean.

As high waves hit the Pacific country, a tsunami warning was released with citizens scrambling to higher ground leaving people in danger and terrified as the worrying event unfolded.

Of course, Tonga is an important part of the rugby league community as one of the top four sides in the international game at the moment even playing in the World Cup semi-finals in 2017 and even beating Australia couple of years ago.

Meanwhile, plenty of Tongan internationals have endeared themselves to Super League in recent years including Huddersfield’s Tui Lolohea and St Helens’ new signing Konrad Hurrell.

A member of the 2019 and 2020 Super League Dream Teams, Hurrell was loved at Leeds and helped the club to the Challenge Cup in 2020 before making the move to St Helens at the end of last season. A great character with a wonderful personality, he’s loved by all in the league including new teammate Will Hopoate who he has played alongside in the past for Tonga.

Naturally, being Tongan, Hurrell has been devastated by the news this morning and sent out an emotional message on social media. It was just three words but said everything: “Stay strong Tonga.”

Over the last two years we’ve seen how brilliant the rugby league family is when it comes to banding together in the face of adversity as seen by the plight of Rob Burrow and Mose Masoe. So, the support given by the rugby league world comes as no shock.

St Helens have also posted their support as has the official England Rugby League Twitter page.