Koni Files: Rounding Off A Brilliant 2016 With An Injury
After Konrad Hurrell left Aotearoa to join Gold Coast Titans, I made sure I paid close attention to how Hurrell was used by the Titans and how Hurrell performed within the realm of his 'job'. During his time at the Warriors, Hurrell was never really offered any great clarity and the attention he brought upon himself had been amplified by a kiwi public who enjoyed having a poster-boy for all that was wrong with the Warriors.
That made a move to the Titans exciting as Hurrell was able to get away from the kiwi fish-bowl and enjoy a fresh environment. Understandably, that's where most people zoned out on Hurrell - out of sight, out of mind - and unless you followed my 'Koni Files' or made a point of watching Hurrell's games each weekend, you were missing out on the blossoming of Hurrell.
We were graced with the standard images of pre-season (that hype up how hard your team is training) on the Gold Coast and Hurrell enjoyed some attention, while I enjoyed a giggle. A mainstream media outlet in Aotearoa gave a photo of Hurrell that attention and talked it up about Hurrell 'reaching his potential' after such a difficult pre-season, completely ignore the fact that Hurrell was already playing at an excessively high level for the Titans after making a mid-season move.
Hurrell's season on the Gold Coast saw him play at his potential with no off-season torture sessions. The arrival of Jarryd Hayne and Hurrell gave the Titans a three-headed beast (also including Greg Bird) of blokes who could break a game open with a touch of class or brutality and the way Titans coach used Hurrell ensured that his influence in making metres had him as one of the Titans best players.
In his 10 games with the Titans, Hurrell was solely used at right-centre (no interchange bullshit) where he averaged 10.53m/per-carry. We only need to look at another Tongan in Jason Taumalolo to offer some context as Taumalolo averaged 10.63m/per-carry this season and Hurrell wasn't too far off that mark; anything over 10m/per-carry is excessive, especially for a centre.
See this Instagram video by @zulugustapo * 4 likes
Hurrell was solely used at right-centre, however Henry had Hurrell returning kick-offs and taking hit ups a couple metres off the ruck. Now, think about what Hurrell does best and what situation would have you shitting your pants if Hurrell had the footy; on the burst. Henry simplified everything about Hurrell's role and used him in situations where Hurrell would flourish, like getting a pass from a kick-off and having 20m to use his speed to wind up.
That speed also saw Hurrell used around the ruck in similar fashion to Taumalolo. The NRL requires speed around the ruck which is why Taumalolo is the best forward in the league and why Cronulla Sharks enjoyed success as blokes like Valentine Holmes and Andrew Fifita caused havoc around the ruck. Hurrell's speed saw him beat the markers consistently, then his power forced three defenders to try bring him down ... after he'd made big metres.
Greg Bird made the most metres for the Titans this season, he only averaged 8.7m/per-carry though and 2nd-best was Ryan James who averaged 7.9m/per-carry. Hurrell put both of them in the shade and with 1.5 offloads/per-game, Hurrell also put the Titans' top-offloader Zeb Taia in the shade as he averaged 1.3 offloads/per-game. Not even the Titans' best tackle-buster Josh Hoffman's 2.56 TB/per-game could keep Hurrell quiet as Hurrell averaged 2.7 TB/per-game.
Hurrell only played 10 games for the Titans, so he doesn't have totals as high as the Titans' leaders (Bird for metres, Taia for offloads, Hoffman for TB). Hurrell averaged the most metres, offloads and tackle busts for the Titans this season though; allow that to simmer in your brain.
People love to rip on Hurrell's defence, yet he only averaged 2 missed tackles a game; Bird averaged 3.54 MT/per-game, Taia averaged 3.08 MT/per-game, Chris McQueen and Agnatius Paasi averaged 2.76 MT/per-game, Ash Taylor averaged 2.86 MT/per-game.
Shaun Johnson (2.62 MT/per-game) and Issac Luke (2.75 MT/per-game) both averaged more missed tackles than Hurrell.
Unfortunately, Hurrell suffered a knee injury in off-season training recently which will rule him out for a couple of weeks. The headlines will read that Hurrell will miss the Auckland Nines which would be a bummer for Hurrell as he would have relished the opportunity to play at Eden Park again, however wanting Hurrell to play Nines is superficial or materialistic.
There's no need to rush Hurrell back for the Nines, not when Hurrell is a certified weapon for the Titans and he'll play a key role as the Titans chance a genuine opportunity to establish themselves in the NRL's upper echelon. The Titans were a solid NRL team in 2016, who made the most of limited talent, instead relying on effort and determination to grind out wins. Now Hurrell will be joined by Kane Elgey and Ash Taylor consistently playing together in the halves and the arrivals of Kevin Proctor and Dan Sarginson, plus there's another classy big bopper in Jarrod Wallace.
I expect to see Hurrell star in a very strong Titans team, leaving the headlines and spotlight for Hayne to thrive in. This possible Titans team will go alright folks and if Hurrell does what he did this season, he'll be influential figure in a Finals smokey.
FB: Jarryd Hayne.
Wings: Anthony Don, William Zillman.
Centres: Konrad Hurrell, Dan Sarginson.
Halves: Kane Elgey, Ash Taylor.
Middle: Jarrod Wallace, Ryan James, Agnatius Paasi.
Hooker: Nathan Peats.
Edges: Kevin Proctor, Chris McQueen.
Bench: Leivaha Pulu, Eddy Pettybourne, Zeb Taia, Tyrone Roberts.