Peter V’Landys backs Ryan Papenhuyzen as new ‘face of NRL’
“He is an impressive individual, the way he carries himself ... he’s a very intelligent young man.” Peter V’Landys has spoken.
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He is the Kellyville kid ready to become rugby league’s million-dollar poster boy.
Star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen won a grand final with Melbourne Storm on Sunday night, claimed the prestigious Clive Churchill Medal and then won selection in the NSW State of Origin squad – and the accolades are only just beginning.
Papenhuyzen’s manager, Clinton Schifcofske, told The Daily Telegraph his client should become the next face of rugby league. And Papenhuyzen has already secured some heavyweight supporters including ARL Commission chairman, Peter V’landys.
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“Ryan certainly has the potential to become one of the real faces of rugby league, absolutely,” V’landys said. “He is an impressive individual, the way he carries himself. When you’re talking to him, he’s a very intelligent young man. He is very classy, very respectful.”
A former school captain at Oakhill College, Castle Hill, Papenhuyzen is a western Sydney boy who also studied for a Physical Activity, Health and Exercise Science degree at the Australian Catholic University at North Sydney.
His parents, Neil and Rachel, still live in the family home at Kellyville. Their son was a Parramatta junior who also represented Balmain Tigers and then Wests Tigers. He played junior league for Kellyville Bushrangers, Dundas Shamrocks and Hills District Bulls.
“I think he has the potential to become the face of the league in 12 months. It will definitely come up in conversation – they’d be crazy if they don’t,” Schifcofske said.
“He’s a great kid. He has an old head on young shoulders and is super mature. He is an agent’s dream and will become a sponsor’s dream. He ticks every box.
“You never have any trouble with him. He’s low maintenance and clean cut. He lives and breathes his footy and trains his arse off. You wish they were all like him.
“He can rock the mullet haircut – that’s his little signature at the moment. Kids love him and he’s awesome with his social media stuff, he gets that without being a big head. He interacts really well with people.
“Ryan will be Melbourne’s next captain. He is the real deal. And he’s only 22 – he is just at the starting line. He is super impressive.”
Papenhuyzen is a triumph for perseverance after being told by multiple clubs – including Melbourne at one point – that he was too small to succeed at NRL level.
And his standing in rugby league increased further when he publicly thanked V’landys for pushing rugby league back onto the field post-COVID during his post-game Churchill Medal speech.
“He was the school captain at Oakhill College. He is really articulate and really intelligent,” Schifcofske said. “He speaks well and is really measured in what he says without being boring.
“It will get to the point now where we have to align him with the right people and sponsors. We are pushing hard to get him into a car ambassador sponsorship deal.
“We always knew he would be a good footballer. He had so much speed, that’s his greatest asset. He is tough and was fearless as a kid. No fear — I’ve never seen a kid like him.
“(His former club) Wests Tigers were always keen to keep him. It was documented that he ran away and they didn’t make an offer but they had James Tedesco at the time.
“Moving to Melbourne was more about an opportunity and not being stuck behind Tedesco.
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“And he could also jump in behind Billy Slater, who is four or five years older than Tedesco. It’s good when a plan comes together.”
Papenhuyzen went to the same school as Sydney Roosters champion Luke Keary, the pair of former Oakhill College students now in the same NSW squad.
“I always looked up to him and he made it possible that people like me could make it because we’d grown up in a similar area,” Papenhuyzen said.
“I think those people I take inspiration from, so that was pretty cool to be able to win a premiership and the Clive Churchill like Luke had done a couple years ago.”
The Storm fullback hasn’t forgotten the people who helped him get to where he is now, with Papenhuyzen buying a ticket to Sunday night’s grand final for one of his former coaches, Mark Morrison who was his Catholic Independent Schools mentor.
“It was really nice to have him there, he was one of the coaches early on that made me believe I could actually make it.”
PAP ON MORNING AFTER NIGHT BEFORE
Gilbert Gardiner
Melbourne Storm premiership fullback and Clive Churchill medallist Ryan Papenhuyzen is still coming to grips with the best day of his life so far.
Operating on about 90 minutes of sleep on the plane, which got the premiers back to Sunshine Coast at 4am, a surprisingly fresh Papenhuyzen vowed to get back to all the well-wishers.
“Fair few messages on the phone, which is always nice,” Papenhuyzen said.
“I’m trying to get back to everyone, trying to acknowledge everyone because it is really important I do that … just letting them know how much of a role they had in me getting to where I am now.”
The 22-year-old became only the third fullback since 2010 to win the Clive Churchill Medal, joining Darius Boyd (2010) and Billy Slater (2017).
Papenhuyzen, who will report for his first NSW Origin camp on Wednesday, strengthened man of the match honours with an 80-metre solo try in the 45th minute.
“Not yet (grand final sunken in) I don’t think,” Papenhuyzen said.
“After the game I shed a couple of tears but I don’t think I’ve really reflected on it yet.
“I think I got pretty lucky with the Clive but, you don’t play for those, you play for the premierships, I’m just stoked to have one of these rings, to be able to share this experience with this great team.”
Upon arrival at Twin Waters the players, who must quarantine now for two weeks should they intend to remain in Queensland, congregated in their team room to soak up the premiership dream.
“I was asleep for most of it (plane), I knew if I didn’t get to sleep I probably wouldn’t get to sleep at all,” Papenhuyzen said.
“Once we got off the plane everyone just went back to the team room … telling funny stories of what happened.
“It was quite a nice touch at the end of the night, or morning, just being able to sit in the team room with everyone and just reflect on it.”
With eight players selected in Origin squads (five Queensland, three NSW) and the mandatory off-season break ahead, it will be a while before the bulk of the Storm returns to Melbourne.
Premiership brothers Jesse and Kenny Bromwich look set to return the Provan-Summons trophy to Victoria, as early as Thursday, potentially.
Papenhuyzen on Monday reiterated the importance of the support the team received from members and fans in Victoria throughout the season.
“We obviously got that V on our jersey and it’s our home so we’re thinking of them every single week,” he said.
“We definitely felt the love back there and can’t wait to get back and share it with them.”
Storm captain Cameron Smith confirmed on Monday he was looking forward to putting his feet up after a “pretty difficult year”.
“It’s a great feeling to accomplish something pretty special in what’s been a pretty difficult year and to have this (premiership trophy) back in our possession is always good,” Smith said.
“If I’m being honest, it’s a wonderful feeling winning the premiership, (but) I think everyone would agree it’s good that (the season) is finally over.”
Storm spent four months in the hub, living under various stages of quarantine and restrictions.
Originally published as Peter V’Landys backs Ryan Papenhuyzen as new ‘face of NRL’