League: Hurrell named to start against Raiders

Konrad Hurrell
Konrad Hurrell
Konrad Hurrell has been named to start for the Warriors on Saturday, although the club doesn't know if he will still be available to play as the NRL's integrity unit investigate an embarrassing sex video involving the centre.

The 22-year-old was involved in a sex tape with Shortland Street actress Teuila Blakely which was made public briefly on social media. Both the Warriors and NRL have launched an investigation and integrity unit boss Jim Doyle has said the incident is a concern for the game, particularly as it kicked off their Women in League week.

"At this stage he is [available for selection] but I'm still waiting on the integrity unit to come back with a decision," Warriors interim coach Andrew McFadden said.

Hurrell was named to start at centre against the Raiders at Eden Park on Saturday. Assuming he plays, it will be just his fourth start of the season as he's battled form and fitness issues but, with David Fusitua (shoulder) injured and Dane Nielsen out of favour, Ngani Laumape has been shifted to the wing.

"It's a shame for David to miss out after doing really for us against the Dragons and the Storm," McFadden said. "But we're able to shift Ngani out to the wing again start with Ben [Henry] and Konrad in the centres."

Henry, who made his Kiwis debut at hooker in last weekend's Anzac test, will play at left centre, and Kevin Locke has been named on an extended five-man bench that also includes Sione Lousi.

Locke has played twice for the reserve grade side after recovering from a knee injury picked up at last year's World Cup but last week signed a three-year deal with Salford to play in the UK Super League after seeing his way back into the side blocked by England fullback Sam Tomkins.

Thomas Leuluai is still troubled by an ongoing groin complaint, meaning Chad Townsend will start at five-eighth, and McFadden said it could be some time before Leuluai returns. Sam Rapira is also a major doubt for the Raiders game with a bulging disk.

Ben Matulino has been named to start on the bench but McFadden said the front-rower was "50/50" because of the rib injury he picked up against the Bulldogs nearly four weeks ago. Matulino will need to come through a contact training session tomorrow to be any chance of playing against the Raiders.

While the Warriors go into the contest on the back of one of the most impressive victories in the club's history - 16-10 win over the Storm in Melbourne - Canberra are coming off one of their most humiliating losses after being trounced 54-18 by Manly on April 27.


Warriors side to play the Raiders at Eden Park, Auckland, on Saturday (5pm): Sam Tomkins, Ngani Laumape, Konrad Hurrell, Ben Henry, Manu Vatuvei, Chad Townsend, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapira, Nathan Friend, Jacob Lillyman, Jayson Bukuya, Simon Mannering (c), Sebastine Ikahihifo. Interchange (one to be omitted): Feleti Mateo, Suaia Matagi, Sione Lousi, Ben Matulino, Kevin Locke.


By Michael Brown of APNZ

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