NRL: Konrad Hurrell back in Warriors squad

Konrad Hurrell had been dropped after a run of uninspired performances. Photo / Getty Images

The revolving-door world of Konrad Hurrell took another turn today with the powerful centre recalled to the Warriors side to face the Sharks on Saturday.

Hurrell was dropped for their last game, the 32-28 defeat to the Titans a fortnight ago, because of indifferent form. Coach Andrew McFadden admitted they had probably rushed Hurrell back into the side after injury but there were also things he wasn't doing well enough.

It was similar to what happened last season when he was missing from the NRL for a few weeks because of a lack of fitness.

The centre played for the NSW Cup side a fortnight ago and then featured for Tonga in their agonising 18-16 defeat to Samoa on Saturday - running for 119m from 11 carries - and comes in for David Fusitua, who has been dropped.

Hurrell is recalled to the Warriors side alongside Dominique Peyroux, who scored the winning try for Samoa in the Pacific test. Peyroux will feature on an extended five-man bench.

"It's fair to say we probably rushed Koni back a bit too quickly initially but he has now had a game for our New South Wales Cup side and was pretty solid for Tonga," Warriors assistant coach Tony Iro said. "He's a guy who we know has a lot of x-factor. He would have taken a lot of confidence from the Tonga game."

The Warriors were well represented in international games last weekend with five turning out for the Kiwis in their impressive 26-12 win over Australia in the Anzac test and six involved in the Pacific test. The Kiwis' win, in particular, has added a buzz to Warriors training but Iro was mindful that it could also have a detrimental impact.

"The biggest worry always is that an emotional high can lead to a drop-off in performance but I think with our boys they know we have been struggling over the last couple of weeks," Iro said. "I think they recognise they need to be up for this game.

"We are really in a lucky position to have 11 guys play internationals. It's important each of them deliver the same sort of performance they did in the weekend. We are expecting them because they are all professionals. We just have to make sure they are right physically and mentally."

The Warriors will field the same starting pack for the eighth consecutive match in what will be the club's 499th game since entering the competition in 1995. Captain Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino and Thomas Leuluai, who all played in the Kiwis' memorable 26-12 win over Australia in the annual Anzac test last weekend, will team up with Ryan Hoffman, Jacob Lillyman and Bodene Thompson.

Wing Jonathan Wright will play against his old club in what will be his 99th NRL game.

The Warriors (13th) and Cronulla (14th) have identical records after eight rounds - three wins and five losses - but the Sharks have better recent form with their three wins all coming in the last four rounds. The ladder is congested with just two points covering 11 teams from fifth through to 15th.

Warriors team to play the Sharks at Remondis Stadium, Cronulla, on Saturday (): Tuimoala Lolohea, Jonathan Wright, Konrad Hurrell, Solomone Kata, Manu Vatuvei, Chad Townsend, Shaun Johnson, Jacob Lillyman, Thomas Leuluai, Ben Matulino, Bodene Thompson, Ryan Hoffman, Simon Mannering (c). Interchange (one to be omitted): Nathan Friend, Dominique Peyroux, Sam Lisone, Sam Rapira, Albert Vete.