Leeds Rhinos offer support to Konrad Hurrell following death of his mother

Hurrell, 28, is the youngest of six children and traditionally blows a kiss to his mum as part of his try celebrations.

He has remained in Leeds during the Covid-19 pandemic and Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington admitted being so far from his family, in Tonga, has made a tragic situation even more testing.

“It is sad times for Konrad and everybody feels for him,” Hetherington said.

“He is such a popular figure around the club, with everybody.

“It is a tough time for anybody to lose their mother, particularly at such an young age - she was only 63 - but for Konrad to be 12,000 miles away makes it especially tough for him.

“Within the Rhinos’ family - which extends to all our fans, players, staff and everybody else - I am sure everybody sends their condolences and everybody will be supporting him in the best way we can.”

Rhinos winger Ash Handley, who plays outside Hurrell, said the entire squad’s thoughts are with the fans’ favourite, who joined Leeds from Gold Coast Titans ahead of the 2019 season.

“I know he was really close to his mum,” Handley told Rhinos’ website.

“I know he is a big family man and he will be struggling, but obviously all the boys, all the Leeds Rhinos fans, the club and everyone is going to be behind him and helping him through a difficult time.”

Hurrell posted a picture on social media of his mother dancing and wrote: “This was her spirit always dancing always smiling and making sure we are happy. Fly high my Queen.”

The player and his family have received support from across the rugby league world.

“We appreciate all the love that everyone have shown us,” he added on his Instagram account.

“Thank you all from our lil family to yours.”

Fatafehi was known as Hurrell’s biggest fan and after Tonga’s win over Australia last year, he said: “She’s in a wheelchair, but I think she’ll be running around now.

“The last game she jumped up and forgot about her bad knees.”

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