Warriors centre Konrad Hurrell was served with his third "concerning act' notice by the NRL match review committee. Photo/Getty
Warriors centre Konrad Hurrell was served with his third "concerning act' notice by the NRL match review committee. Photo/Getty
Warriors centre Konrad Hurrell knows he risks a lengthy suspension if he is involved in another kneeing incident and has vowed to work further on his controversial running style.
Hurrell was fortunate to escape sanction following a charging run left Manly captain Jake Trbojevic concussed, after his head connected withthe ball-carrier's knee in an awkward attempted tackle during Saturday's second round pool match at the NRL Auckland Nines.
Hurrell was visibly concerned as the 21-year-old prop was tended to by medical staff before being carted from Eden Park, with Trbojevic later ruled out of the remainder of the tournament.
It follows a similar incident from last season when Hurrell was suspended for three matches and ordered to correct his running style after his raised knee left Cronulla defender Anthony Tupou with a broken jaw.
The 24-year-old avoided an appearance in front of the NRL judiciary but was served with his third "concerning act' notice by the match review committee.
"At the time I just felt sorry for (Trbojevic). It was just my running, I was trying to run hard," Hurrell said.
"I went the wrong way and hurt the other guy.
"I was just happy I got out of it and it's another skill for me to learn, to get back and work on my running technique."
Konrad Hurrell's running style has come under heavy scrutiny. Photo/Getty
While Hurrell's running style has again come under scrutiny, Warriors coach Andrew McFadden said defenders have a responsibility to ensure their own safety when committing to a tackle.
"If you put your head on the wrong side then you put yourself in trouble and no one likes to see that but certainly it wasn't great technique," he said.
After the match, Hurrell left the Warriors sheds dressed only his underwear and rushed to visit the Manly room to check on Trbojevic's condition.
He accepts he needs to continue to work on improving his running style but said that might be easier said than done.
"It would be hard for me to change it because I've been running like this since I was 12," he said.
"It's not just me, other players run like that. I just need to look at it and work on it.
"I won't ease up when I run but I've got to go back and train hard so it won't happen to another person."
