By Christian Nicolussi
Jahrome Hughes is facing a minimum six weeks on the sidelines with the halfback to undergo further testing on a dislocated left shoulder that needed to be put back in place at hospital late Thursday.
Storm chief executive Justin Rodski confirmed Hughes would not be seen until at least the finals, but the club would know more later Friday once he underwent further testing in Melbourne.
The club confirmed late Friday that Hughes would not require surgery.
The sight of Hughes wincing in pain and clutching at his left shoulder as he came from the field in the 43rd minute on Thursday night against the Roosters was always going to have major ramifications for the Storm’s title hopes – and the possible make-up of the NRL’s all-important top four.
Harry Grant produced a true captain’s knock to inspire a 34-30 Storm victory overt the Sydney Roosters.
But the injury to Hughes, last year’s Dally M winner and their big-game halfback, made the win at Allianz Stadium bittersweet.
Hughes was given a green whistle for his pain, but when it failed to work, Storm staff were forced to administer more painkillers as he sat in the sheds.
He was later discharged from hospital and able to rejoin his teammates back at the team hotel before midnight. The initial consensus was Hughes had also avoided any major breaks.
Jahrome Hughes comes from the field.Credit: Getty Images
Hughes was meant to board a 6am flight to Rockhampton with Grant, coach Craig Bellamy and football manager Frank Ponissi to attend the funeral of Cameron Munster’s father. He flew home to Melbourne for scans.
Bellamy said after the game: “He’s gone to hospital, the doctor [Bec Beaton] has gone with him, it’s dislocated, and they couldn’t get it back in here.
“He’ll probably have to go under to get it back in ... Whether he has a crack in it as well, we might not find out until Friday. We’d like to think they’ll get it back in tonight.
“I had both shoulders reconstructed, and the longer they’re out, it’s a bigger problem … the longer it’s out, the more it stretches the ligaments and muscles around the joint.”
Munster will return next Thursday against Parramatta, with Tyran Wishart likely to get the nod ahead of Jonah Pezet, who was due to play in the Queensland Cup, to wear the No. 7 jersey. Wishart has the superior running game, but Pezet the better boot.
When asked how difficult it would be moving forward without Hughes, Bellamy said: “I reckon it was just getting to the stage of the game where he was starting to do a bit more running. He was causing some issues for the Roosters’ defence in the back end of the first half.
“Nobody wants to lose their halfback. He’s a massive part of our footy team, without a doubt.”
The Storm will also welcome the return of Ryan Papenhuyzen (calf) for the Eels, before a tough run of games, which features the Broncos, twice, the Panthers and Bulldogs.
Jahrome Hughes was rushed to hospital in an ambulance in a bid to get his shoulder popped back into place.Credit: Getty Images
The Roosters scored four tries off Sam Walker’s right boot, including one for Lindsay Collins, a la Origin I in Adelaide in 2023, to put the home side up 24-16 not long after Hughes had exited the game.
But Grant threw a lovely ball for Josh King to score, then skipped across field and put Stefani Utoikamanu over for a four-pointer.
The Roosters had plenty of chances to win the game, and should have won considering who the Storm were missing.
They now face their own battle of making the finals. A try to Zach Dockar-Clay was contentious because James Tedesco appeared to be in front of Walker when he kicked, and continued to involve himself in the play. Referee Adam Gee was overheard telling Grant the bunker could see no sufficient evidence to support Tedesco being in an off-side position.
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