Storm superstar Ryan Papenhuyzen could make his return to rugby league after a year long injury break as soon as this weekend, with a crucial Tuesday fitness test to decide whether he can play 80 minutes.
It won’t be with Melbourne, however: Papenhuyzen will turn out for one of the Storm’s feeder clubs, either the Sunshine Coast Falcons or Brisbane Tigers, in the Queensland Cup, as an attempt to get him some match fitness before making his NRL comeback.
Papi missed the end of last season with a shocking knee injury, splitting his patella in two while trying to tackle Canberra’s Jack Wighton.
He spent time in the US in the off-season attempting to rehab the injury, but has been unable to play so far in 2023.
“He’s still got some hurdles to get over this week with training and we want to give him every chance to be physically right and mentally ready to get back out on the playing field,“ said a Storm spokesman.
“Given he’s had such an extended period of time off that’s the best thing that we need to make sure he’s ready to go.”
Normally, when a coach is sacked, they spend a few months in the wilderness before returning as an assistant and working their way back up.
Not Justin Holbrook: the ex-Titans boss was fired just six weeks ago, but has already been sounded out by Newcastle as a potential successor to Adam O’Brien, should his contract not be extended, and has now been installed as the favourite for one of the biggest jobs in the Super League.
Warrington fired coach Daryl Powell on Sunday after a horror run of results that has seen their season totally derailed following a superb start, and Holbrook is now top of the bookies’ list to take over in 2024.
The Wire are Super League’s perennial underachievers, with a Premiership drought lasting back into the 1950s, but are one of the best supported – and highest-spending – clubs in the league.
Holbrook, who won a Super League title with St Helens, is favourite – ironically, ahead of O’Brien, who is second in the betting. Warriors assistant Justin Morgan is third, with former Wests Tigers star Brett Hodgson fourth.
James Tedesco has shouldered the inevitable criticism as the Sydney Roosters cling desperately to their finals hopes, and has backed his NSW State of Origin coach Brad Fittler to remain in the job.
He’s also declared his desire to captain the Kangaroos in their end-of-year Tests, despite the grind of the season forcing him to miss an NRL game this month and instead holiday in Byron Bay.
Tedesco came under fire for his break, which meant he wasn’t pitch-side to watch Melbourne Storm beat his men in a crucial fixture.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
But Trent Robinson supported his fullback in the aftermath, explaining the move was his decision as coach.
Tedesco sparked the Roosters in a victory against Gold Coast on his return, but a comprehensive loss to Brisbane on Thursday has left them 14th, and needing wins in all five remaining games to play finals.
“I’ve been coping well; had a lot of people reach out and send supportive messages,” the 30-year-old told reporters on Monday.
“It’s been a tough year, something we’re probably not used to at the Roosters.
“I’ve shown it since I walked in the door, that commitment and care to the club.
“The results haven’t gone our way and you’re going to get some negative talk around that, but that’s just the sport we’re in.”
Tedesco hadn’t spoken publicly since the Blues avoided an Origin clean sweep with an impressive victory in Sydney earlier this month.
Fittler’s tenure is up in the air but the coach has a supporter in Tedesco.
“It showed how good we can be when we stick to our plan and play how we want,” he said, adding he was “supportive for sure” of Fittler.
“I’ve played my best Origin footy under him. He’s brought some pride back into the jersey. He brought that back. It was in a dark place.”
Tedesco could face competition for his Test No.1 jersey from breakout Broncos star Reece Walsh but he won’t be handing it over.
“Yeah, 100 per cent,” he said of his intention to play end-of-season Tests.
“I haven’t thought too much about it yet, it’s been a massive year but that’s always the goal and a huge honour.”
With AAP
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