Ryan Papenhuzyen's worrying Origin setback as Billy Slater handed triple blow
Ryan Papenhuyzen endured a rollercoaster night in the Storm's 42-2 upset to the Dolphins with Billy Slater watching two Queensland hopefuls leave the field injured. Melbourne raced out to a 14 point lead at Suncorp on Friday evening with NRL fans expecting the frontrunners to put on another huge total like they did against the Warriors last week.
Despite losing Harry Grant before kick-off, Papenhuyzen was once again proving to fans why he could be the NSW Origin fullback in 2025 having scooted from dummy-half to finish a Storm move and score a try. Melbourne's attack looked lethal once again as they were 16-2 up with plenty of time to build on their attack.
However, it all went wrong for the Storm in the second-half after Isaiya Katoa put on a masterclass. the 21-year-old recorded five try assists and outshining Jahrome Hughes in the halfback battle. And while Papenhuyzen started off looking like a potential Blues star, he was left wanting on a number of occasions in the final 40.
In one telling moment, Blues coach Laurie Daley would have noticed Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow embarrass Papenhuyzen for a try. The Dolphins fullback out-jumped Papenhuyzen in a one-on-one battle, before offloading to Ray Stone for his second try of the evening. Earlier in the Dolphins onslaught, Katoa caught Papenhuyzen out of position at dummy-half as he put through a grubber as the Storm fullback raced across the field to stop Kodi Nikorima.
And while Papenhuyzen and the Storm were once again solid in attack, it was there defence that let them down. "It seems to be a bit like that," Bellamy said.
"It is a big concern to just rely on your attack. We have been aware that our defence hasn't been as good as we'd like it to be. I'll have to look through it to see where the problems are … and see where we can improve next week." And Daley would have taken notice of Papenhuyzen's defence in the shock Dolphins defeat after a telling moment against potential Queensland rival Tabuai-Fidow.
Hammer just posterised Papenhuyzen omg
— George (@g73636) April 18, 2025
NSW are completely spoilt for fullback optionsEdwards is a machine, Tedesco, has he ever played better, and what a comeback Papenhuyzen has made, electric every week, would not look out of place.... #NRLDolphinsStorm
— RugbyLeagueIsTheNameOfTheGame (@RugbyLeagueHARD) April 18, 2025
While the Dolphins would have been thrilled with their record win over the Storm, Queensland coach Slater would have been watching a number of selection hopefuls go down injured. Before the game,coach Bellamy confirmed Grant had injured himself in the captain's run on Thursday and he was expected to miss up to six weeks.
The 27-year-old is now facing a race to be fit for Game 1 of Origin in an enormous blow for Slater. However, Slater's night as a coach got worse. Dolphins forward Max Plath, who was firming for a position in the Maroons squad, suffered a foot injury. He is expected to miss up to six weeks.
And in a final blow, Jack Howarth was all but ruled out of Origin selection. Howarth was firming as a potential utility for Slater after his barnstorming start to the season. Although the young star left the field clutching at his shoulder in the 17th minute. "He will be (out for) an extended time but if he has an operation it will be the season I think," Bellamy said.
"I think he will try and rehab it and go from there. I don't think it was out for too long so that is a plus, but we will see what the medical team think. They are thinking to rehab it and try him again."
Grant's injury means Slater may be forced to promote Broncos No.6 and regular Maroons No.14 Ben Hunt to the starting position. He could also look at selecting Bulldogs No.9 Reed Mahoney after a strong start to the season.
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