The Melbourne Storm will reportedly be without gun fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen for the first month of the competition, with the club taking a cautious approach to his return.
The 24-year-old suffered a shattered kneecap in July last year, ending his season prematurely before he travelled to the US to rehab the injury with specialist Bill Knowles.
Knowles also assisted Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic recover from hamstring injuries.
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Roosters get high-scoring win over Storm | 00:59
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Papenhuyzen’s absence will likely see Nick Meaney play at fullback in the club’s second trial against the Warriors according to The Daily Telegraph.
Meanwhile, young gun Su’a Fa’alogo put his name up in lights with a scintillating performance against the Roosters on Sunday.
The 19-year-old recorded 205 running metres, four tackle breaks and three line breaks as well as a 95-metre try and was subbed off after 68 minutes.
“He’s just 19-years of age, and as we said he’s the same weight as Ryan Papenhuyzen, a couple of inches shorter,” Fox League’s Warren Smith said during coverage of the NRL pre-season.
Roosters get high-scoring win over Storm | 00:59
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“He’s a player of the future, and Craig Bellamy has seen enough he said ‘that will do me, this kid is one to save for another day’”.
Fa’alogo is currently not in Melbourne’s top 30 roster and his development has been stunted in recent years with reserve grade football cancelled during the Covid pandemic.
However, his strong performance could see him earn the No.1 jersey with another injury issue arising for Craig Bellamy.
Justin Olam’s fractured forearm will see one of Young Tonumaipea, Grant Anderson or Meaney take over the left centre role with Reimis Smith staying in the right.
