One of the NRL’s most powerful centres will go up against probably the fastest today when Konrad Hurrell debuts for the Aquis Titans in Darwin during this afternoon’s clash with Parramatta at TIO Stadium Darwin (5pm local time).
Hurrell, who had a slight calf injury suffered in the last training session before he was due to play for the Warriors’ NSW Cup side three weekends ago, has looked focussed at training this week as he gets used to new teammates on the Titans’ right side that was the focal point of Souths’ attack close to the line where their five tries were scored.
NSW Origin player Jennings has destructive Fijian Semi Radradra outside of him so there is sure to be plenty of action on that side of the field with the Tongan Torpedo, Hurrell, playing outside of Chris McQueen and inside of Anthony Don.
It will be Hurrell’s first starting appearance in the NRL in 2016 after he was used three times off the bench by the Warriors before his switch to the Gold Coast.
"He's a powerful runner of the ball and even though he hasn't played for a few weeks he's been working extremely hard," coach Neil Henry said.
"Matt Ford and Sean Edwards have been training him and getting him up to speed and he's had a couple of ball work sessions with the boys now and is starting to become a bit more familiar with our play
"Hopefully he'll be a valuable addition and a bit of strike-power out on that edge to counter Jennings on that side who is a very good attacking player as well.
"Our right side have really got a job to do against their left edge which is very strong with [Manu] Ma'u on that side with Jennings and Radradra and Corey Norman so it's going to be a tough day.
"We missed far too many tackles last week and thankfully so did Souths but we let them back into the game at 18-0 up. We won't get the same latitude against this team. They're very powerful side and their completion rate has been pretty good.”
Co-captain William Zillman says Hurrell has fitted in well during his two weeks with the team.
Ït will be great to see Konrad out there, he has fitted in so well,” is a very good trainer and we couldn’t have asked for anymore out of him so far,” he said.
“He has trained well with the team and fitted into the combinations easily.”
Nathan Peats goes up against former teammates and the club that squeezed hum out just weeks ago to meet their salary cap expectations. He has overcome a minor elbow problem and has trained with a lot of purpose this week and elected to stay out of the media and public gaze so he can focus on his performance.
Kick-off is 5pm in Darwin with the temperature forecast to still be in the early 30s after reaching a maximum of 36 degrees today.
Match officials: Referees: Gavin Badger and Chris Butler.
Televised: Fox Sports – Live from 5pm AEST
Aquis Titans:
1 – William Zillman (capt)
2 – Anthony Don
3 – Josh Hoffman
18 – Konrad Hurrell
5 - Nene Macdonald
6 – Tyrone Roberts
7 – Ash Taylor
8 – Luke Douglas
9 – Nathan Friend (capt)
10 – Ryan James
11 – Zeb Taia
12 – Chris McQueen
13 – Greg Bird
INTERCHANGE
14 – Nathan Peats
15 – Leivaha Pulu
16 –Agnatius Paasi
17 – Eddy Pettybourne
Parramatta Eels
1. Michael Gordon
2. Semi Radradra
3. Michael Jennings
4. Clint Gutherson
5. Bevan French
6. Kenny Edwards
7. Corey Norman
8. Daniel Alvaro
9. Isaac De Gois
10. Danny Wicks
11. Manu Ma’u
12. Beau Scott (c)
13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange:
14. Kaysa Pritchard
15. Peni Terepo
16. David Gower
17. Rory O’Brien
