Papenhuyzen fit and in fullback mix
He has endured three years of crippling injuries that have led some people to question his future in the sport, but Ryan Papenhuyzen can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel, with the Storm superstar eyeing off the fullback spot for the round 1 clash against Penrith.
It was only a few years ago that Papenhuyzen won the Clive Churchill Medal for his electrifying performance against the Panthers on grand final night, but he’s played just 30 games in the three years since because of a horrific knee injury he sustained in 2022 and a devastating ankle injury from last year’s finals.
The 25-year-old has remained positive and has flourished in the pre-season following a stint in the US, with Papenhuyzen looking to squeeze in a trial game for the Storm before the season opener on March 8.
There are no suggestions he will be eased back into the side despite the emergence of young gun Sua Faalogo, who is expected to come off the bench this season, with Nick Meaney shifting from fullback to left centre to replace Justin Olam who has gone to the Tigers.
“I’d say it’s looking pretty good,” Papenhuyzen said when asked about the fullback battle.
“There’s a bit of competition. ‘Means’ has been training in the centres so it’s between me and Sua at the moment.
“It’s a good vibe at the moment, it’s a healthy competition and if he gets his go then I’m sure he’ll thrive in that environment, but at the moment I want to be that No.1.”
The rugby league world desperately wants to see Papenhuyzen return to the sort of form that had him in the mix to make his State of Origin debut, only for the gruesome knee injury suffered against Canberra to keep him out for more than a year.
Despite the back-to-back serious leg injuries, the fullback is in good spirits and said he had hit 94 per cent of his top speed, which was recorded in 2018 when he was lighter.
“It’s been a breeze compared to the knee,” he said when asked about his rehab.
“I feel like I’m ready to go. I’ll probably get a trial game in and round 1 is looking good at this stage.”