Former Warrior Konrad Hurrell will enjoy a whirlwind start to his new life as a Titan, named in an 18-man squad to play the Rabbitohs in Perth on Sunday less than 24 hours after arriving on the Gold Coast.
Hurrell is the only addition to the same 17 that defeated Penrith in Round 11 and will embark on a 15,000 kilometre journey in the space of 14 days with the Titans to play the Eels in Darwin in Round 14 before returning home to the Gold Coast.
Hurrell made just three appearances – all off the bench – this season for the Warriors with he and the club agreeing last week that it was best for both parties that he found a new club.
Although Hurrell denied there had been any discussions with the Titans prior to last week, rumours had been circulating for months that a mid-season switch was in the offing and the Titans were open about their interest if the Tongan international became available.
That window opened last week and Gold Coast were quick to pounce, Hurrell barely able to wipe a broad grin from his face that his new club sees such a bright future for him as a Titan.
"They say they're going to bring the best out in me and they want me here so that's what makes me want to come here," Hurrell said on Tuesday.
"Obviously it feels good to come in somewhere where they need you and they want to bring the best out of you so that's why I chose here.
"I came in last night, my first day and I'm very happy. I feel like I'm home already, already on the field and in the gym, recovery with the boys so loving the vibe here.
"Obviously it's been a tough year for me not getting some game time but I'm excited I'm here. It will be a good start for me and I'm already in the 18-man squad so I'm looking forward to that as well."
With salary cap space at his disposal Titans coach Neil Henry has remained patient in recruitment and has been rewarded in the space of three weeks with the opportune signings of Hurrell and Parramatta Eels discard Nathan Peats.
In recent weeks the Titans have lost both David Mead and John Olive to injury and although Hurrell has been used in the forwards by the Warriors this season Henry sees his best value in causing havoc with his powerful runs out wide.
"His best football's ahead of him. Yes, he hasn't been able to consistently nail down a spot in first grade for a variety of reasons but he has said already that he is looking forward to a fresh start here," Henry said.
"He's certainly a quality player and hasn't had many opportunities this year but we know what he can do with the ball and we're hoping he'll give us a bit more strike in the outside backs.
"In saying that I've been really happy with how Nathan Davis and the other guys have handled it, 'Hoffy' (Josh Hoffman) has been playing well at left centre but we have got both David Mead and John Olive out for an extended period of time so we have lost a couple of outside backs.
"I know he's been used as an interchange player in his last few games at the Warriors but we've recruited him to be a centre so hopefully he can slot straight into that role.
"Even if he doesn't play in that first game he's with us for nine days and we'll do a number of training sessions in that time.
"If he needs to do a bit more fitness work or some other testing while we're over there then we've got our strength and conditioning crew over there and the medical team so he'll certainly be in good hands rather than being left on the Coast."
