Jahrome Hughes injury will force Melbourne Storm into halfback change for clash with Newcastle
With Jahrome Hughes missing for the next three weeks with a broken hand, Melbourne has a big decision to make at halfback. The veteran or the up-and-comers?
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Cameron Smith could start at halfback for the first time in six years with Storm coach Craig Bellamy declaring his veteran hooker is in line to replace the injured Jahrome Hughes.
Bellamy is facing a crucial decision with Hughes ruled out for up to three weeks with a broken hand. Bellamy nominated Smith as an option ahead of their clash against Newcastle next Saturday.
“We’ve got to make a bit of a decision there,” Bellamy told ABC Grandstand.
“Obviously we could put Cameron back there and start with Brandon (Smith at hooker). We wouldn’t play Cameron there the whole game. Whether we started with it or we did it a bit later in the game, I’m not quite sure. It’s been mentioned before by other people.
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“I’ve always been hesitant to move him from dummy half where he has been the best dummy half for a long time.
“You don’t want to weaken one position. We’ll do what we think I best for the team.”
Immortal Andrew Johns pushed for the 36-year-old Smith to switch to the halves.
The Storm confirmed on Saturday that Hughes requires surgery after suffering the injury during Melbourne’s hard-fought 22-8 win over South Sydney on Friday night.
Bellamy nominated Ryley Jacks or Cooper Johns, the son of Newcastle legend Matty, as other options to partner Cameron Munster in the halves.
“Ryley Jacks has played plenty of first grade,” Bellamy said. “He is probably be the favourite. Cooper Johns is a young guy coming through the grade too. He hasn’t played any first grade yet. I’m not sure this is the right time to be doing that. We will have a chat with the players and coaching staff.”
Bellamy will also square off against long-time protégé Adam O’Brien for the first time when the Storm play the Knights. O’Brien worked closely alongside Bellamy who gave O’Brien a glowing endorsement before Knights officials appointed him as coach at the end of last year.
“He is a very good coach,” O’Brien. “He has done his time. His personality has rubbed off on Newcastle and we saw that last week. They were very gritty under some difficult circumstances when they had a few injuries early in the game.
“I had a couple of people from Newcastle ring me up when they decided Nathan Brown was not going to be there. I thought he would be ideal not only for Newcastle but any club. He is going to have a really long career.
“He is one of those guys that can be a bit cranky. He always gets on well with people. He’ll have a long and successful career.”