Bellamy rubbishes poaching suggestion
Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes is confident Queensland Origin maestro Cameron Munster will get the green light to face the Broncos in Melbourne on Thursday night.
The Storm has received a huge boost with Hughes declaring Munster an all but certain starter for the round 5 blockbuster with long-time arch rivals Brisbane at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.
Munster has not been seen so far this season because of a groin complaint, but the Queensland Origin sensation ran well at Melbourne’s captain’s run, according to halves partner Hughes. Only an 11th-hour setback on game day is likely to prevent Munster returning to join forces with Hughes, who is also back from suspension, as Melbourne chases an eighth straight win over Brisbane on Melbourne soil.
“Cam is good,” Hughes said. “He trained really well (on Wednesday). It was his last real test and he did everything required of him.
“We’ll see how he pulls up, but he’s looking like he’s ready to go.
“It’s massive for us if Cam plays. We all know the quality of player he is. He has had a rough start to the year, but he has been bouncing off the walls this week knowing he is going to play.
“He is keen to play against the Broncos and I can’t wait to have him back.”
The Storm have hit the jackpot on dual fronts, with Hughes to also return in the No.7 jumper after the premiership-winning playmaker missed Melbourne’s loss to the Knights because of suspension. “It’s good to be back,” he said.
“It was a bit weird missing out, then we had the bye, so I didn’t know what to do with myself.
“But this is a pretty big game for us – I’m excited.”
Hughes will wage a thrilling scrumbase duel with Broncos dangerman Adam Reynolds, and the Kiwi Test star is also wary of Tristan Sailor, who replaces Brisbane superstar Reece Walsh (facial fracture) at fullback.
“It’s always a good challenge going up against ‘Reyno’,” he said.
“There’s a lot of good playmakers in the game now, so every week I’m up against someone of quality.”
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Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has scoffed at reports he had fallen out with Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
While Cam Munster is set for a return Asofa-Solomona remains on the outer, making his way back to full fitness through the Queensland Cup after a series of hamstring injuries during the pre-season.
Amid reports Bellamy was upset with how heavy the 120kg forward was on his return to training, the coach dismissed suggestions he could be available to other clubs labelling AsofaSolomona a “real asset” when he’s up and going.
“That sort of private conversation is between me,” Bellamy said responding to a question about whether Asofa-Solomona was told to trim down.
“He’s an important part of our club. We just need him playing well. He’s had some real hamstring problems and he hasn’t done a lot of work in the pre-season. So that’s a little bit of the problem as well.
“We’re not gonna put him in until he’s ready. He’ll be a real asset to us if we can get him back in.”