{"id":653446,"date":"2026-01-10T07:12:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-10T07:12:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/fr\/653446\/"},"modified":"2026-01-10T07:12:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-10T07:12:24","slug":"super-xiii-konrad-hurrell-le-jeu-est-tres-intense-en-super-xiii-rugby-a-xiii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/fr\/653446\/","title":{"rendered":"Super XIII – Konrad Hurrell : \u00ab\u00a0Le jeu est tr\u00e8s intense en Super XIII\u00a0\u00bb – Rugby \u00e0 XIII"},"content":{"rendered":"

Konrad Hurrell, centre de L\u00e9zignan, a r\u00e9pondu \u00e0 nos questions sur son arriv\u00e9e en France et son parcours en Super League et NRL.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Konrad, que savais-tu du rugby \u00e0 XIII fran\u00e7ais avant de signer \u00e0 L\u00e9zignan\u00a0?<\/strong><\/p>\n

La premi\u00e8re fois que j\u2019en ai entendu parler, j\u2019ai tout de suite pens\u00e9 que c\u2019\u00e9tait un championnat sympa, mais aussi tr\u00e8s difficile, car les supporters de L\u00e9zignan sont tr\u00e8s fiers de leur \u00e9quipe et la soutiennent \u00e0 fond.<\/p>\n

Pourquoi as-tu choisi L\u00e9zignan plut\u00f4t qu\u2019un autre championnat ou club\u00a0?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Je n\u2019avais pas vraiment d\u2019offres d\u2019autres clubs. Mais quand L\u00e9zignan m\u2019a contact\u00e9, j\u2019\u00e9tais ravi, car je connaissais James Maloney, Sam Moa et Lolo Wesley, qui jouaient ici.<\/p>\n

Quand tu es arriv\u00e9 dans l\u2019Aude, quelle a \u00e9t\u00e9 ta premi\u00e8re impression du club et de la ville ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Franchement, c\u2019\u00e9tait une petite ville super. \u00c7a me rappelait un peu d\u2019o\u00f9 je viens. Et puis, j\u2019ai rencontr\u00e9 des gens qui adoraient le rugby \u00e0 XIII et notre \u00e9quipe, alors j\u2019ai trouv\u00e9 \u00e7a vraiment cool.<\/p>\n

Que penses-tu de l\u2019intensit\u00e9 et de l\u2019engagement du rugby fran\u00e7ais\u00a0?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Le jeu est tr\u00e8s intense parce que les joueurs aiment vraiment ce sport et qu\u2019ils sont fiers de repr\u00e9senter leur ville. Mais je pense qu\u2019on devrait essayer de d\u00e9velopper davantage le rugby \u00e0 XIII, car d\u2019autres joueurs seraient ravis de venir vivre cette exp\u00e9rience et de retrouver le plaisir de jouer au rugby.<\/p>\n

Tu viens d\u2019un milieu tr\u00e8s m\u00e9diatis\u00e9 : comment te sentes-tu en arrivant dans un pays o\u00f9 le rugby \u00e0 XIII est pratiquement inconnu ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

C\u2019est ce que je voulais dire pr\u00e9c\u00e9demment\u00a0: il faut d\u00e9velopper davantage le rugby \u00e0 XIII, car je sais que des joueurs comme moi aimeraient venir jouer, prendre du plaisir \u00e0 jouer au rugby et voir \u00e0 quel point les gens sont passionn\u00e9s.<\/p>\n

Tu as commenc\u00e9 ta carri\u00e8re en NRL tr\u00e8s jeune. \u00c0 quel moment as-tu r\u00e9alis\u00e9 : \u00ab \u00c7a y est, je peux devenir joueur professionnel \u00bb ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pour \u00eatre honn\u00eate, je n\u2019ai pas vraiment commenc\u00e9 \u00e0 jouer au rugby \u00e0 XIII avant l\u2019\u00e2ge de 20 ans. Mais je pense que lorsque j\u2019ai int\u00e9gr\u00e9 l\u2019\u00e9quipe premi\u00e8re en 2012 et que j\u2019ai fait mes d\u00e9buts \u00e0 21 ans, cela m\u2019a donn\u00e9 la confiance n\u00e9cessaire pour rivaliser avec les meilleurs. Mais c\u2019est surtout gr\u00e2ce \u00e0 mes co\u00e9quipiers des Warriors qui m\u2019ont soutenu tout au long de ce parcours.<\/p>\n

Quel club ou quelle p\u00e9riode t\u2019a le plus marqu\u00e9 : Warriors, Titans, Leeds, St Helens ? Pourquoi ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

J\u2019ai du mal \u00e0 dire quel club a le plus marqu\u00e9 ma carri\u00e8re. Les Warriors m\u2019ont donn\u00e9 l\u2019opportunit\u00e9 de faire mes d\u00e9buts et de r\u00e9aliser mon r\u00eave d\u2019enfant. Les Titans m\u2019ont offert une seconde chance en NRL et j\u2019ai disput\u00e9 mes premi\u00e8res phases finales avec eux. Leeds \u00e9tait un grand changement, mais j\u2019ai r\u00e9ussi et c\u2019est l\u2019une des meilleures d\u00e9cisions que j\u2019ai prises. J\u2019ai remport\u00e9 mon premier troph\u00e9e professionnel avec eux. Les Saints ont \u00e9t\u00e9 un tournant majeur : je devais prouver que j\u2019\u00e9tais toujours capable de jouer et j\u2019y suis rest\u00e9 quatre ans, remportant des troph\u00e9es. Certains matchs resteront grav\u00e9s dans ma m\u00e9moire.<\/p>\n

Tu as particip\u00e9 \u00e0 trois Coupes du monde. Que repr\u00e9sente pour toi le fait de porter le maillot de ton pays sur la sc\u00e8ne internationale ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pour un joueur comme moi, avoir disput\u00e9 trois Coupes du monde et repr\u00e9sent\u00e9 mon pays est un immense honneur. Je pense que jouer pour les Tonga fait partie des trois meilleurs moments de ma carri\u00e8re.<\/p>\n

En 2017, vous avez r\u00e9alis\u00e9 un parcours historique, vous vous inclinez de justesse en demi-finale (20-18) face \u00e0 l\u2019Angleterre, dans une ambiance incroyable qui vous \u00e9tait favorable. Ce parcours a marqu\u00e9 l\u2019histoire de ton pays. \u00c0 quel moment as-tu senti que quelque chose de sp\u00e9cial se passait ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tout a commenc\u00e9 lors de la Coupe du monde 2013 en Angleterre. Avec les joueurs que nous avions \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e9poque, nous savions que nous pouvions accomplir quelque chose de grand pour l\u2019\u00e9quipe et notre petite nation. Il s\u2019agissait simplement de repr\u00e9senter notre pays. Beaucoup de joueurs ont fait des sacrifices financiers, car les sommes propos\u00e9es \u00e9taient tr\u00e8s importantes. Mais ils ont donc d\u00e9cid\u00e9 de venir jouer pour les Tonga, et \u00e0 partir de l\u00e0, l\u2019histoire a commenc\u00e9, et nous continuons \u00e0 construire quelque chose d\u2019exceptionnel.<\/p>\n

En 2019, vous avez battu l\u2019Australie, un r\u00e9sultat historique. Qu\u2019est-ce qui a fait la diff\u00e9rence ce jour-l\u00e0 ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Je pense que nous \u00e9tions les outsiders, il n\u2019y avait aucune pression sur nous. Tout le monde disait que nous allions nous faire \u00e9craser. Nous jouions uniquement pour nous-m\u00eames, nos familles et surtout notre pays. Nous savions que nous avions quelque chose de sp\u00e9cial et que nous pouvions y arriver. Pour moi, la diff\u00e9rence, c\u2019\u00e9tait qu\u2019il fallait croire en nous, qu\u2019on pouvait y arriver.<\/p>\n

\u00c0 la fin du match, quelle a \u00e9t\u00e9 ta premi\u00e8re \u00e9motion ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00c0 la fin du match, je pensais tout le temps \u00e0 ma famille rest\u00e9e aux Tonga qui nous regardait, et \u00e0 toute notre petite nation. Et puis, dans les vestiaires\u2026 \u00catre avec les gars de cette \u00e9quipe, c\u2019\u00e9tait incroyable. En regardant autour de moi, en voyant nos entra\u00eeneurs aussi, je me suis dit qu\u2019on avait fait beaucoup de sacrifices et travaill\u00e9 dur pour \u00e7a. C\u2019\u00e9tait un sentiment extraordinaire.<\/p>\n

Quel message aimerais-tu transmettre aux jeunes joueurs qui r\u00eavent de jouer un jour une Coupe du monde ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

On ne peut pas se contenter de r\u00eaver\u00a0! Il faut faire beaucoup de sacrifices et travailler dur. Mais en m\u00eame temps, il faut croire en soi, \u00eatre capable d\u2019y arriver\u00a0! Et il faut aimer chaque instant. On n\u2019y arrive peut-\u00eatre pas du premier coup, mais il faut se battre pour y arriver.<\/p>\n

Aujourd\u2019hui, avec ton exp\u00e9rience, que ferais-tu diff\u00e9remment si tu pouvais remonter le temps ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rien, pour \u00eatre honn\u00eate. J\u2019en suis arriv\u00e9 l\u00e0 pour une raison : j\u2019ai v\u00e9cu tellement de bonnes exp\u00e9riences. Peut-\u00eatre devrais-je simplement arr\u00eater de manger.<\/p>\n

Konrad, what did you know about French rugby league before signing with L\u00e9zignan ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

First time I heard about it was always a fun comp to play on but at the same time a very tough comp too because the French people in the town were the teams are proud rugby league town and support their team 100 percent.<\/p>\n

Why did you choose L\u00e9zignan over another league or club ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t really have any offer from any other club. But when Lezignan messaged me I was excited about it because I knew James Maloney Sam Moa and Lolo Wesley player here.<\/p>\n

When you arrived in the Aude region, what was your first impression of the club and the village ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was a very cool lil town to be honest. Kinda remind me of where I\u2019m from. And meeting people they love their rugby league and our team so I thought that was pretty cool .<\/p>\n

What do you think of the intensity and commitment of French rugby ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The game is very intense because of how much the boys love the game and love to represent their town. But I think we should try and expand it more because other players will love to come experience this and enjoy their rugby again.<\/p>\n

You come from a very high-profile background: how do you feel about arriving in a country where rugby league is practically unknown?<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is what I meant before we need to expand it out abit more because I know players like me would love to come and play and enjoy rugby and seeing how passionate<\/p>\n

You started your NRL career very young. At what point did you realize, \u00ab\u00a0That\u2019s it, I can become a professional player\u00a0\u00bb?<\/strong><\/p>\n

To be fair I didn\u2019t really start playing rugby league until I was 20years old. But I think when o made the first team in 2012 and made my debut at 21 it gave me the confidence that I can dance with the big guys now. But a lot of it was from my team mate pushing me through all it at the warriors .<\/p>\n

Which club or period has left the biggest mark on you: Warriors, Titans, Leeds, St Helens ? Why ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I can\u2019t really tell which club has made the biggest mark on my career because . The warriors gave me the opportunity to debut and pretty much achieved what my dream is as a kid. The titans gave me a second opportunity at nrl and I played my first finals as nrl with them. Leeds it was a big move but ended up making it and it was one of the best thing I\u2019ve done. And won my first trophy as a professional player with them. Saints was massive because I had to prove a point that I can still do it and ended up staying there for 4 years winning trophy\u2019s and some game will be up there as the best memories.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve played in three World Cups. What does it mean to you to wear your country\u2019s jersey on the world stage ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

For a player like me to be ended up playing and representing my country at 3 World Cup means a lot. I think top 3 highlight of my career is playing for Tonga.<\/p>\n

In 2017, you had a historic run, narrowly losing in the semi-final (20-18) to England, with an incredible atmosphere in your favor. This run made history for your country. At what point did you feel that something special was happening ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

This all started from 2013 World Cup in England. The players we had then we knew we could something about the team and our lil nation it\u2019s just us putting up our hands to represent our country. A lot of the boys made sacrifices money wise because it was a lot of money for them to say no to. So they decided to come play for Tonga and then it was history from there and still building for something special.<\/p>\n

In 2019, you beat Australia, a historic result. For you, what made the difference that day ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I think we were the under dogs there was no pressure on us at all. All the talk then was us getting absolutely smashed that day. All we were playing for was for ourselves our family and mainly our country. We knew we had something special and we can do it. For me the difference was we had to believe in ourselves that we can do it.<\/p>\n

At the end of the match, what was your first emotion?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The end of the match for me all I was thinking about was my family back in Tonga watching and all our lil nation too. And then when we were in the changing room. For me being amongst the boys in that team was unreal. Looking around the room our coaching staffs too we\u2019ve sacrificed and worked hard for it it was such an amazing feeling.<\/p>\n

What message would you like to convey to young players who dream of one day playing in a World Cup ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

You can\u2019t just dream about it !! You need to work a lot of sacrifices and hard work. But at the same time you need to believe in yourself that you can do it !! And you got to love every moment of it. You might not make it first time but you got to see push for it .<\/p>\n

Today, with your experience, what would you do differently if you could go back in time?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nothing to be honest I\u2019ve got to this stage for a reason made so many good experiences. Maybe just need to stop eating.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Konrad Hurrell, centre de L\u00e9zignan, a r\u00e9pondu \u00e0 nos questions sur son arriv\u00e9e en France et son parcours…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":653447,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[1416],"tags":[1011,27,75660,26176,479,2228,1468,2229,60,2231],"class_list":["post-653446","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-rugby","tag-fr","tag-france","tag-konrad-hurrell","tag-lezignan","tag-rugby","tag-rugby-a-xiii","tag-rugby-football","tag-rugby-league","tag-sports","tag-super-xiii"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@fr\/115869564557346377","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/653446","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=653446"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/653446\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/653447"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=653446"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=653446"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=653446"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}