Huge blow for Storm with star's latest injury setback
Melbourne Storm are facing a big concern after star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen failed to finish the first half against the Titans.
Papenhuyzen left the field with an ankle problem after he chased down and tackled opposite number AJ Brimson.
The Titans fullback landed awkwardly on the ankle of the Storm star leading to a grimace.
“It’s so unfortunate, I think with his history this doesn’t look great as he hobbles away,” league great James Graham said on Fox League.
Ryan Papenhuyzen is attended to by medical staff.
“This is not a good sight. I think everybody in the game of rugby league is crossing their fingers.”
Papenhuyzen then tried to run it off but ultimately left the field and was later pictured on crutches and in a moon boot.
“It must be a sharp pain … you don’t react that sharply unless it’s something significant,” Storm legend Cooper Cronk speculated.
“There’s a lot of concern from the coaching staff there of Melbourne Storm and it’s that right ankle, same one he broke in the finals series against the Brisbane Broncos,” Cronk added as Papenhuyzen was pictured applying a compression garment in the sheds.
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Fox League later reported the fullback suffered a high ankle sprain.
In Cameron Munster’s 200th NRL match, the Storm held a 20-12 lead at half-time after a see-sawing affair.
Kieran Foran was first to go over for the Titans before Munster, Will Warbrick, Papenhuyzen and Sualauvi Faalogo hit back for the Storm.
Phillip Sami’s try in the 35th minute then kept his side in the game before Papenhuyzen went off with two minutes left.
The Titans came out from the sheds a different side with AJ Brimson scoring and Brian Kelly kicking a penalty goal in the 53rd minute to make it 20-20.
Nick Meaney’s penalty goal in the 67th minute resulted in the only points scored in the second half for Melbourne as they finished 22-20 winners in a nail-biter.
The Titans also had an injury concern with Tanah Boyd leaving the field early in the match and captured with ice on his wrist on the bench.