Warriors coach likens Hurrell to Iro

Warriors coach Brian McClennan has likened rookie Konrad Hurrell to Kiwi international legend Kevin Iro following the centre’s dominant three-try display against the Gold Coast on Saturday night.

The 20-year-old Tongan was impressive in the Warriors’ 32-14 win over the Titans, even more so for someone who has only been playing rugby league for two years.

Hurrell was identified as a schoolboy as a potential All Black as a school boy after showing real promise as a rugby union player.

But he was plucked from the code by the Warriors ahead of the 2011 season and went on to score 22 tries in 21 games for the for their Toyota Cup side in their premiership winning season.

He continued hisrise in the sport, making his first grade debut this season and has so far notched 12 tries in 12 appearances to sit just below Cowboys winger Ashley Graham and Bulldogs centre Josh Morris on the leading tryscorers list for 2012.

McClennan said he had never seen a young rugby convert make the transition so rapidly, comparing Hurrell to Iro at the same stage of his career.

Iro went on to play 34 Tests for New Zealand after earning a Super League contract as a teenager.

“Off the top of my head I can’t recall someone that’s come from union as a young kid and take to the game so quickly,” McClennan said.

“I have seen some young guys that have come from (junior) league and just go bang and excel.

“Kevin Iro was like that.

“I’ve seen that happen but not from union to league.”

Hurrell has already gained cult status, earning the nickname `Koncrete’ for his hard running style and big hits in defence.

McClennan said it was no fluke that the young gun had forced his way into the NRL squad.

“We knew that he was a fine talent but it was really through pre-season that we thought this kid is something special,” he said.

“It’s very tough for a new bloke in their first season doing the pre-season. It’s a bit of a shock, the intensity of it.

“But he aimed up every session.”

Hurrell showed that humility after Saturday night’s game.

“The boys make it look easy,” he said.

“I hardly did any of the work, it was the other boys.

“I knew (opposing centre Jamal Idris) was a big strong man so I needed to lift up my A-game.

“I hope I did great on the field.”

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