The Storm have confirmed they’ll be without gun fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen for the first 6-8 rounds of the NRL season.
The 24-year-old shattered his kneecap halfway through last season and then travelled to the US to rehab the injury with specialist Bill Knowles.
Knowles also assisted Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic recover from hamstring injuries.
“Paps continues to work hard on his rehab program, building strength in his right leg. If he continues to progress well, it’s hoped he will return to the field around rounds 6-8,” the club said in a statement on Tuesday..
Papenhuyzen’s absence will likely see Nick Meaney play at fullback in the club’s second trial against the Warriors this week.
Melbourne star Justin Olam was injured on Sunday in their trial against the Roosters, and the club listed all their injured players alongside the Papenhuyzen update.
After undergoing surgery on the arm injury he sustained in the pre-season match against the Roosters on Sunday, the PNG centre is expected to be sidelined for around six weeks.
A medical illness in the new year has delayed the winger’s final stages of recovery from his ACL. He should be available by round four.
A calf injury has kept the former NSW Origin forward out of the trials. He is building towards a return to full training and should be available in the early rounds of the season.
A cartilage issue has prevented Marion from training with the main group and playing in pre-season. His return date is TBC.
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.
