The 22-year-old didn't think he was ready to feature in a black and white jersey last year, instead playing for the country of his birth, but probably would have been selected for the Kiwis if available. New Zealand lack depth at centre and, even though he has defensive deficiencies, Hurrell is a matchwinner having scored 25 tries in 37 NRL appearances.
He scored one in three games for Tonga but the biggest impact he made at the World Cup was when he put a huge tackle on Italy's Cameron Ciraldo who was hospitalised for a lacerated pancreas.
"Hopefully I will get a chance to play for the Kiwis and the Anzac test is my goal," he said. "It has always been my dream is to play for the Kiwis."
That will depend a lot on who is coach, with the NZRL presently interviewing the four candidates shortlisted for the job - incumbent Stephen Kearney, David Kidwell, Richie Blackmore and Glenn Morrison. An appointment is expected before the end of the month.
Hurrell is able to switch allegiance under international regulations, with players who have dual eligibility able to make a change after a World Cup cycle or after two years. What makes the decision easier is the fact Tonga, who are ranked 13th in the world, don't know when their next international might be and rarely play between World Cups.
Hurrell also came close to representing Tonga at rugby sevens. He played rugby union throughout his childhood and was selected for the wider training squad for the full national sevens side as a 17-year-old.
He moved to Auckland before playing sevens at international level after winning a scholarship to attend Auckland Grammar and was soon picked up by the Warriors and made the switch to rugby league.
"At that age, you just want to have a crack at everything that comes your way," he said. "I heard about the sevens thing and heard Tonga were touring to New Zealand and I was picked for the wider squad. It was fun ... but tiring."
It will be the same this weekend at the Auckland Nines at Eden Park and Hurrell is expected to be a standout for a Warriors side among the favourites for the inaugural title.
Hurrell is both fast and, at 102kg, difficult to stop and the extra space and fewer defenders is likely to suit him. He put his inclusion in jeopardy, however, after returning to pre-season training a month ago overweight.
"I had a bit too much fun back in Tonga and didn't really watch my weight," he said. "I put on 10kg. It was a big blowout for me.
"The club weren't happy about it. I just had to put my head down and work hard and I came back and dropped 9kg in one month. I'm glad it's out of the way."
The Warriors' nines squad held their first training run yesterday (Wed) when they devised a few tactics.
"I reckon nines will be a lot faster and harder than sevens because you have to go back 10m," Hurrell said. "In sevens you defend on the ruck. You have to play faster to win. It will be a lot easier for us with players like Shaun [Johnson] who can do his magic."
- By Michael Brown of APNZ
