INTERVIEW: Konrad Hurrell

SPEAKER_1 (0:01)

The Flava Breakfast Podcast.

Azura (0:03)

And as you know, Rugby League World Cup is going down right now. And this weekend, it's another big one for sports. Of course, you know, other teams are playing. New Zealand Fiji, Saturday 5.30, up the Kiwis. England PNG, that's tonight, 10.05. Australia Cook Islands, Saturday 10.05.

France and Lebanon, Sunday 7.40. But the game that's on everybody's lips is Samoa and New Zealand.

Charlie (0:32)

And that's an absolute pleasure to be joined live by OG Matematonga player, now media manager of the MMT team, Mr. Konrad Hurrell, Tonga's Ferret San. Good morning, maitoko.

Konrad Hurrell (0:44)

Good morning, maitoko. Thanks for having me in. Media man and the model of the team, toko. Get it right.

Charlie (0:50)

Oh, sorry, sorry. See, here's the thing, right?

So before we even had the interview start, because we're on Zoom right now, Konrad goes, hey, can you put some more light on Charlie because I can't really see him. It's so dark. See, I'm glad that he's got the whole touch of a media man because he knows what's right for the team. You know what I'm saying?

Konrad Hurrell (1:10)

Yeah, I have to. I have to.

I need to see you. I need to talk to you. I can't just talk to you like a shadow.

Azura (1:21)

I have to admit, Konrad, Charlie's confused the heck out of me on what your actual role is with the boys and with Tonga because I don't know whether he's pulling my leg. You know, what sort of... What do you do?

Konrad Hurrell (1:39)

I don't even know as well.

I think I try to do the media stuff of it, but two of the things is all. I run the fitness test and everything else.

Azura (1:51)

Wow!

Charlie (1:52)

So you wear many hats, eh, Docs? So you wear different hats in camp?

Konrad Hurrell (1:59)

Yeah, I have to wear my professional hats.

Charlie (2:01)

I'm glad, man. I'm so glad. Do you know what makes me happy is seeing a lot of, you got Sika Manu in camp with you guys, you got Ka Toa in camp with you guys.

How's the camp leading into the Samoa game this weekend, Docs?

Konrad Hurrell (2:16)

No, it's been, it's been, it's been really good, man. I think having the boys there ease out the team, like, because the boys sometimes, they can't really speak to the coach as any other team. And I think to have the OGs there, they can speak to the OGs and they can go speak to Wolfie and them, makes them feel a bit more at ease at camp.

I think it's some of the, maybe not me, but some of the other boys there, the young boys have been looking up to them and just for them to be around.

Azura (2:44)

But not you?

Konrad Hurrell (2:46)

Yeah, definitely not me. They looked up to me, but the opposite way. Whatever.

It makes them a bit easier at camp. So I think it worked what Wolfie has done this year, especially when it's more young Will and them in camp. So the boys have been really good.

Azura (3:04)

What are you expecting from the game this weekend, from both teams?

Konrad Hurrell (3:10)

I think I don't really want to watch the first 20 minutes.

Because I don't think that all the technique and everything will be out of the way. I think they will ease in to it. Everyone is just throwing their head in to anything and everything. So it will be a very physical game, I reckon. But I'm just looking forward from the start, from both teams singing the anthem, going into the sippi towel and siwa towel. So I think it will be a big game. And I think everyone is looking forward to the game too.

Charlie (3:35)

So it's officially been sold out. No tickets available now.

It's all done.

Konrad Hurrell (3:41)

Yeah, yeah, all done. I think I might need to go and get on the news somewhere to get some more tickets for the boys.

Charlie (3:50)

Yeah.

Konrad Hurrell (3:51)

Yeah, I think it was sold out a week before the World Cup.

Charlie (3:54)

Wow.

Konrad Hurrell (3:54)

I think that was the only game that was already sold out.

Charlie (3:56)

Cause as Tongus, you gotta remember, like we have a lot of families that are probably, how many family members have texted you, like, Toco, you're not going to get a ticket.

Konrad Hurrell (4:07)

Toco, you know the drill, man. There's everywhere. But it's just hard. I think they do understand as well how it's their own fault. Cause every Samoan Tongue game, you can't get last minute ticket.