‘He’s still got it’: Papenhuyzen burning Storm teammates as return nears
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Melbourne Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes might be the first but he knows he won’t be the last player to underestimate Ryan Papenhuyzen’s speed now he has returned from injury.
Papenhuyzen is in line to play for the Storm for the first time in 13 months after he fractured his knee cap last season as he was named in the extended squad for Saturday’s home clash with Gold Coast Titans at AAMI Park.
Ryan Papenhuyzen.Credit: Getty Images
Storm coach Craig Bellamy has said he would put not pressure on Papenhuyzen to play and would make a decision after speaking to him later this week.
But Hughes has seen first hand and at full speed that the Clive Churchill Medallist has regained his pace despite suffering such a debilitating injury after Papenhuyzen blazed past him during training recently.
“You forget how good he really is,” Hughes said on Wednesday.
“He’s still got it mate. He was at the back of a shape one time and he absolutely gassed me.
“I thought I had him but nah, he’s still got it. He’s gained a lot of confidence just from playing Queensland Cup so time will tell, we will see if he gets out there on Saturday.”
Bellamy has previously said he was still tossing up whether Papenhuyzen would come straight back into the fullback role despite current No.1 Nick Meaney being among the club’s best players this season.
Another option is to play Papenhuyzen off the bench and use him as an impact player in the second half.
“I think we will just take it as it is. Craig has a pretty big decision to make on where he wants to play him and what suits him,” Hughes said.
“Fully fit, he is in our best team and we still have a couple of days of training left [this week] to see what we are doing.”
Wherever he does play, Hughes said his teammates would welcome him back with open arms as would supporters.
Papenhuyzen has played three games in the Queensland Cup for Sunshine Coast Falcons along with training with the Storm.
While he appears ready for a return, a fractured knee cap is considered among the most serious injuries for a rugby league player and the Storm will take no risks with him.
“I hope he gets a crack,” Hughes said.
“He’s been up and about ever since he has been back playing Queensland Cup. It will be massive moment for him, for the club and for the fans – the fans want to see him back and see the mullet back.”
While emotions will be high if Papenhuyzen returns, Hughes expects a difficult game regardless as the Titans have a powerful forward pack and speedy backs like Alofiana Khan-Pereira.
“They have got a good forward pack and we have to contain them as they get their outside backs on the front foot and they have a lot of speed and some craft,” Hughes said.
“I know our forwards are looking forward to the challenge and, hopefully, they can do a good job on them, especially Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who is their spiritual leader out there.”
Storm star Cameron Munster and partner Bianca McMahon have welcomed their second child, son Jagger Dallan Munster, into the world.
Munster had been on alert during recent games in case he had to leave and join Bianca for the birth.
The Storm play Gold Coast Titans at AAMI Park on Saturday at 3pm AEST.
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