While Ryan Papenhuyzen is no chance of dislodging incumbent NSW Origin fullback James Tedesco, Storm coach Craig Bellamy believes he’s in the mix for a Blues call-up.
The 22-year-old’s athleticism, speed and his general toughness has made him one of Melbourne’s best this NRL season.
Ahead of their clash with the Titans at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Friday night, Bellamy said the young gun may have caught the eye of NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler who could select him for a bench role.
“I’m not quite sure he will crack the side as a fullback – the one they’ve got there is a fair player,” Bellamy said.
“Tedesco is rated by his peers as the best player in the game and I wouldn’t argue with that so it would be tough to remove James.”
Named in the Emerging Blues squad in December, Bellamy feels Papenhuyzen could offer plenty to a NSW side come Origin in November.
Bellamy said despite his relatively small size Papenhuyzen started at the Storm by coming off the bench and playing in the ruck where he proved his versatility.
“He’s a tough kid,” said Bellamy, who is a former NSW Origin coach.
“If he goes on when the other side is a bit fatigued, with his pace and footwork, he can cause some problems and defensively he won’t let you down.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Freddy (Fittler) is looking at putting him on the bench and I think he’d be a good addition.”
The Friday night match is the first NRL fixture to be played at Sunshine Coast Stadium and Bellamy said they were happy to adopt it as their home ground, with Melbourne likely off-limits for the rest of the season.
“This is our new home ground now so hopefully we can make it feel like that and make it a fortress for us,” he said.
“We had a session there on Tuesday under lights and the surface didn’t change too much with dark coming on so it should be less slippery than Melbourne – we’ll see how it goes.”
Paul
Roar Guru
what you're suggesting makes sense, but I'm thinking about the time of year when these games are going to be played in 2020, TB. The first game's on the 4th of November with 2 more over the coming fortnight. If the weather is anything like what it was last November, seriously warm, I'd be thinking Freddy would want to have all 17 guys available to rotate. In any event I don't think Papenhuysen would be in the mix for that bench spot. Maybe McInnes from my boys?
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don’t think you necessarily need four players in a rotation for rep teams Remember NSW used to have Gallen, Watmough, Lewis, Stewart, Bird, Hoffman in the same side. You have these 80 minute workhorses and then keep rotating them If NSW have a pack of say Klemmer, Cook, Vaughan, Cordner, Frizell, Jurbo and a bench of Crichton, Graham, Saifiti...do we need a fourth player in the rotation? We end up limiting the minutes of the best players in the comp I think you’re much better carrying a genuine 14 who can cover injuries / HIAs in the backs and halves or be a spark around the ruck if you’re behind... I don’t think it’s a problem if he gets limited minutes if that’s how the game pans out
kk
Roar Pro
Applied intelligence as usual.
Joe
Roar Rookie
No chance. Bellamy will always talk up his players as all good coaches do but I think Paps will not see Origin with both Teddy and Turbo way in front. He'll be a similar story to Matt Ballin and Jake Friend who are good enough to be long term Origin players but were just unfortunate to be playing in the same era as Cam Smith. Ballin at least got a taste when Cam was injured but with 2 players ahead of him Paps is going to find it tough to get an Origin gig.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm wondering how Papenhuyzen could be used? I assume as a replacement for Cook, but isn't that like for like? I'm also wondering how much game time he might get and whether his presence on the bench might upset the rotation? Wouldn't Feddy want all 4 bench players to get plenty of onfield time, rather than just 3 guys? In saying that, if it's warm weather when SOO's played, he could be a good option as the big blokes will tire more quickly
TJ
Guest
Think he would be great in around the ruck near some tiring big men but as you say he doesn't offer much in terms of versatility. Think Gutho or someone like Graham/Matterson would be the better option.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Always take a coach’s call about their own players with a grain of salt but Papenhuyzen at 14 is an intriguing idea The drawback is that he doesn’t provide a lot of injury cover if a back goes down injured or for a HIA but that could be balanced with someone like Wade Graham on the bench