Titans take NRL punt on wayward Warrior

Gold Coast have filled the void left by James Roberts’ departure with the recruitment of another gifted but wayward player in Konrad Hurrell.

The 24-year-old Tongan international joins the Titans until the end of next year’s NRL campaign after being released on Wednesday by the Warriors.

Hurrell’s recruitment fills a gap the Titans have been trying to fill since Roberts’ controversial exit from the club to Brisbane after a contract bungle at the end of last year.

But while the wrecking-ball centre is a damaging ball-runner and try-scorer at his best, he’s also heading to the Gold Coast with his reputation under a cloud.

Hurrell is rumoured to have fallen out with Warriors coach Andrew McFadden, having only played three matches this year for the struggling Auckland-based club.

He was also one of six players stood down for breaching team protocols earlier this year after a late night drinking session.

Hurrell’s arrival parallels that of Roberts, who had already been sacked by Penrith and South Sydney for off-field dramas before he moved to the Titans.

Coach Neil Henry believes the Titans have picked up another unfinished diamond and is confident Hurrell can prove to be a shrewd acquisition for the club.

“At 24, he has his best football ahead of him and I look forward to him developing further on the Gold Coast,” Henry said.

“It’s great news for this club; in Konrad’s 71 NRL games, he has scored 41 tries which alone shows what a dynamic attacking player he is.”

Hurrell is the third player to be added to the Titans since the start of the season, joining former Parramatta hooker Nathan Peats and John Olive as new faces at the club.

The Titans have also announced the signing of English representative centre and fullback Dan Sarginson for 2017 and 2018.

Sarginson, who has played two Tests for England, has scored 37 tries in 109 Super League games.

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