The Melbourne Storm have been dealt a double blow after confirmation that superstar fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen and centre Reimis Smith will spend lengthy stints on the sideline, following injuries in Sunday’s big win over the Dragons.
Papenhuyzen will be out for up to six weeks after suffering a hamstring tear and a posterior cruciate ligament injury in news that has implications extending beyond the Melbourne club.
The severity of the fullback’s injury will again wreck his chances of playing State of Origin, with the Dally M leader’s form having rocketed him into contention for Brad Fittler’s NSW side.
Papenhuyzen was in the NSW squad in 2020 but couldn’t press for a position due to a calf injury and last year he was sidelined with ongoing concussion symptoms.
With this year’s Origin series set to get underway on June 8 in Sydney and concluding with Game III in Brisbane on July 13, it would take something resembling a miracle for the Storm fullback to recover in time to feature.
