The absence of Kata, which breaks a remarkable 34-game streak for the Tongan dating back to round one last season, created a window of opportunity for Hurrell. Blake Ayshford and Kata had played the first 10 matches of the season as the centre partnership.
Surely, even despite his lapses in judgment this season, the 24-year-old is at least the third-best centre at the club. Instead, Matt Allwood has been promoted. The former Raider had a decent game against the Dragons in round nine before getting a few minutes last week in Christchurch off the interchange bench.
"Like Solomone, the telling factor is that Matt is a preferred left-side player," said assistant coach Justin Morgan. "He's really comfortable on that side of the field and he'll be working with a good defensive edge as well with Ryan [Hoffman] and Tommy [Thomas Leuluai]."
Allwood is a solid but unspectacular option. He is safer defensively than Hurrell but it means a considerably de-powered back line - with Ayshford, Allwood and Jonathan Wright unlikely to strike fear into the Raiders' defensive line.
Indeed, Raiders captain Jarrod Croker will be smiling at the news. He has had a torrid time in recent years with Hurrell, who has run over the top of him with impunity, particularly during the 54-12 drubbing at Eden Park in 2014 when Hurrell recorded 222 running metres.
And while the Warriors still have plenty of defensive issues to sort out, they are also becoming a team that is easy to defend against. There is a lack of variety and strike in their game and the absence of both Kata and Vatuvei will reduce their ability to gain momentum early in a set.
Mannering will, though, make a big difference. His value isn't always appreciated by fans, but the Warriors don't usually cope well without him and it was the same in Christchurch, as Penrith found plenty of holes around the ruck. Mannering, who has recovered from the nasty facial wound he received against the Storm three weeks ago, will also improve their kick-chase.
Hawera-born Luke's promotion to the starting line-up coincides with a match near his home town and is deserved after strong displays in the last two rounds.
The five-man bench includes Jazz Tevaga, John Palavi, James Gavet, Lisone and Toafofoa Sipley. Lisone and Sipley have impressed in recent NSW Cup outings while Gubb was below par in the 30-18 loss to Penrith.
WARRIORS v CANBERRA RAIDERS
Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
7.30pm, Saturday, May 21
WARRIORS
1 TUIMOALA LOLOHEA
2 JONATHAN WRIGHT
3 BLAKE AYSHFORD
4 MATTHEW ALLWOOD
5 DAVID FUSITU'A
6 THOMAS LEULUAI
7 SHAUN JOHNSON
8 JACOB LILLYMAN
9 ISSAC LUKE
10 BEN MATULINO
11 BODENE THOMPSON
12 RYAN HOFFMAN (c)
13 SIMON MANNERING
Interchange:
14 JAZZ TEVAGA
15 SAM LISONE
16 JOHN PALAVI
17 JAMES GAVET
18 TOAFOFOA SIPLEY
