When Warriors coach Brian McClennan wakes up in Sydney this morning wondering how his side lost to Wests Tigers last night, one consolation will be the performance of Konrad Hurrell.
Centre Hurrell, the 20-year-old rugby union convert in his first season of NRL, was outstanding for the Warriors in the 24-22 defeat at Leichhardt Oval.
He scored two tries, following his double last weekend against the Sydney Roosters, set up Bill Tupou's opener, and generally announced himself in a coming-of-age performance.
It will ease the sting of defeat for McClennan only a little, because this match was the Warriors' for the taking.
The Warriors had the match in their pocket, leading 10-0 at the break, with the Tigers having few ideas on attack. It almost seemed too easy. The Warriors were focused, their defence organised, if sometimes scrambling.
They sure know how to keep things interesting, do McClennan's men. Slow starts have been a problem for them this season but it wasn't a problem for them last night.
The problem was still a familiar one, though. Errors at just the wrong times. Two grubber kicks allowed the Tigers to score two quick tries just after the break, Manu Vatuvei culpable for Beau Ryan's try after the Tigers winger scored off his own kick.
And Tupou was caught out when Benji Marshall kicked behind the defence for Lote Tuqiri to score.
Back the Warriors came to regain the lead through Hurrell, who ran in from 55m after James Maloney charged down a kick, only for the Tigers to trump that when Matt Utai wriggled over out wide.
Marshall's conversion pushed the score out to 18-16 with 10 minutes remaining and although the Warriors pressed, the Tigers plunged the dagger in when scoring a converted try through fullback Tim Moltzen in the 78th minute.
Remarkably, Hurrell scored off a short kick-off, but although Maloney converted, it was far too late.
It was, however, Hurrell's most complete performance of the season after he showed glimpses of his enormous talent in last year's Toyota Cup.
Billed as the battle of the Kiwis playmakers Shaun Johnson vs Benji Marshall, the Tigers player got the better of that contest, although he was extremely quiet in the first half.
Johnson didn't reach the heights of his standout performance in last weekend's victory against the Roosters.
His dummy to Russell Packer provided the time and space for Tupou's try after only three minutes but it was Hurrell who was the instigator.
It was Hurrell's nice straight line which draw the defence and put Tupou over and later his charges from deep had a hint of anger about them. He was like a human wrecking ball at times but with the required finesse to go with it.
It was a hugely impressive performance from the youngster and there were none of the defensive lapses which have dogged his first year in the NRL. Keep this up and there is no chance he will be seen as a weak defensive link, which is something he has been concerned about.
The defensive problems came outside him. It was a frustrating effort from the Warriors, who started the night in eighth place, one ahead of the Tigers, and would have fancied their chances against a Tigers' side missing hooker Robbie Farah, who was on Origin duty.
A wasted opportunity, but at least Hurrell took his chances.
Wests 24 (Beau Ryan, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Utai, Tim Moltzen tries; Benji Marshall 4 goals) bt Warriors 22 (Konrad Hurrrell 2, Bill Tupou, Ben Henry tries; James Maloney 3 goals). HT: 10-0.
