NRL 2024: Ryan Papenhuyzen suffers ankle injury in Titans v Storm match

Ryan Papenhuyzen has suffered yet another lower leg fracture in a blow for the Melbourne speedster’s Origin ambitions.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – MAY 04: Ryan Papenhuyzen of the Storm is injured during the round nine NRL match between Gold Coast Titans and Melbourne Storm at Cbus Super Stadium, on May 04, 2024, in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Ryan Papenhuyzen has avoided a serious ankle injury but will miss up to six weeks of football after scans confirmed a small ankle fracture out of Saturday night’s win over Gold Coast.

The news comes as a small relief for the Melbourne fullback, who has had his State of Origin hopes dashed for at least game one of the series on June 5.

“Scans last night showed Paps has a small fracture to the fibula in the same ankle he injured last year,” Storm Director of Football, Frank Ponissi said in a club statement.

“The injury will likely require surgery which will keep Paps sidelined between four to six weeks.”

Ryan Papenhuyzen indicates he has suffered a small fibula fracture above the surgical plate that was put in last year when he fractured/dislocated his ankle.

Was concern considering direct contact mechanism. Often 6-8 weeks recovery to allow for adequate bone healing but varies. pic.twitter.com/3YL2xyQQJu

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 4, 2024

It’s yet another injury for the 25-year-old who has suffered a horror run of bad luck over recent seasons.

He hasn’t managed to play more than eight games a year since a devastating knee injury in 2022.

This year he’s returned to some of his best form, scoring seven tries this season to put himself in the frame for NSW selection.

Ryan Papenhuyzen sustained an ankle injury. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

PAPS CRACKS AGAIN

Papenhuyzen’s Origin dream could be over again after the Storm superstar suffered another ankle injury in Melbourne’s controversial 22-20 win against the Titans on Saturday night.

Papenhuyzen’s injury soured a thrilling encounter before 13,096 at Cbus Super Stadium which was overshadowed by a number of officiating howlers from referee Belinda Sharpe and The Bunker.

A 68th minute penalty goal to Melbourne’s Nick Meaney was ultimately the difference after Des Hasler’s determined Titans fought back from a 20-6 deficit to set up a grandstand finish.

But the Storm hung on to secure their seventh win of the year in Cameron Munster’s 200th NRL milestone match.

Papenhuyzen couldn’t put any weight on the right ankle he badly broke at the end of last year and didn’t return to the game following an innocuous tackle late in the first half.

“We’re not quite sure how bad it is,” Storm coach Craig Bellamy said.

“We’re not sure if it’s something to do with the plate or above it. He’ll need a scan and go from there.

“I don’t know how much bad luck you can have. We need to find out what’s wrong and go from there.

“They’ll need to see the scans first before they make any predictions.

He had been in hot form with seven tries this season and putting heat on James Tedesco for the Blues No.1 duties or at least a bench utility role.

TITANIC EFFORT

The Titans lost five-eighth Tanah Boyd (wrist) inside the opening 10 minutes and looked destined for another heavy loss when the Storm bounced out to a 20-6 lead.

But their dogged determination of the past month kicked in, veteran Kieran Foran orchestrating a Titanic effort which kept the Storm try-less for the final 45 minutes.

AJ Brimson was electric at fullback. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

AJ Brimson (136m, five tackle busts) was electric again at fullback and David Fifita busted 12 tackles in an attempt to drag the Titans to their first home win of the year.

But it wasn’t to be as the Storm continued their run of winning close games to remain in the NRL’s top two and the Titans slumped to a 1-7 record.

SUPER SUA

While Papenhuyzen could be facing time out, the Storm have a genuine superstar ready to replace him.

Sua Faalogo made a stunning return to the NRL, scoring a scintillating try in his first appearance of the year for Melbourne.

The Titans couldn’t get a hand on the 21-year-old sensation when he skinned them with a 25m solo effort off a scrum to help the Storm to a 20-12 halftime lead.

Faalogo will slot straight into Melbourne’s No. 1 jersey for next week’s top-of-the-table clash with Cronulla if Papenhuyzen isn’t available.

BUNKER A LAUGHING STOCK

You know the bunker has serious issues when even the players are laughing at decisions in their favour.

Titans winger Phil Sami looked like the most guilty man on the planet when he bounced the ball attempting to score a try. His reaction was a dead giveaway.

But not according to Chris Butler in The Bunker, who awarded a try and left Sami in stitches laughing.

Butler had another shocker penalising Titans winger Jojo Fifita for a strip on Nick Meaney in the crucial final minutes when the game was on the line.