Jahrome Hughes’ insane NRL elimination final display laid bare as Storm book grand final spot

The NRL world is lost for words after Jahrome Hughes’ heroics defied belief as the Storm booked their place in the grand final.

Jahrome Hughes was brilliant on Friday night. Image: Getty/Fox Sports

Melbourne Storm star Jahrome Hughes has defied belief with an inspired performance to help his side to yet another grand final.

The Storm overcame a resilient Sharks side 22-14 on Friday night, with Hughes leading from the front.

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The biggest question coming into Friday’s game was whether the halfback should be playing, given that he broke his arm just three weeks ago.

But within 15 minutes, he answered that question with an exclamation mark, breaking through a tackle and using his troublesome arm to fend off defenders as he scored a brilliant solo try.

Cronulla tested his arm on multiple occasions, often pulling or running directly at it. But Hughes grit his teeth and didn’t miss a step.

His performance was so good that a casual fan would almost certainly be shocked to learn of the extent of his arm injury.

Jahrome Hughes was brilliant on Friday night. Image: Getty/Fox Sports

The Melbourne halfback suffered a fracture in his left wrist against Brisbane on September 4.

Hughes had surgery to insert a plate and screws to stabilise his radius (forearm) fracture.

The specialist who performed the surgery on Hughes was quoted as saying the “normal healing period” is about 12 weeks.

Incredibly, he took to the field just 22 days later, sporting a large arm guard.

It is the quickest return to play for such an injury in NRL history.

And to make the feat even more insane, it was the Kiwi internationals’ only second game in two months, after dislocating his shoulder before then fracturing his arm in his return game.

Jahrome Hughes of the Storm is tackled. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

So his standout performance understandably sent the NRL world into raptures.

“Hughes fending off like that with a still fractured forearm – insane. So good to watch,” ‘NRL Physio’ Brien Seeney wrote on X.

“I can’t believe that Jahrome Hughes’ arm isn’t hurting like hell after that try. A hard fend and an even harder landing on an arm that must still be very weak. But what a try,” another said.

“Jahrome Hughes is just cut from a different cloth. ️Back scoring a try on his broken wrist after 22 days in a prelim, absurd,” a third added.

Hughes finished the game with a try, a linebreak, seven tackle breaks and 82 run metres.

Speaking to Channel 9 at full-time Hughes said he was just happy to be out there.

“Honestly I’m just happy to be out there. I feel like I’ve been out for the whole year.

“Great to be back out with the boys, it’s a great feeling.”

The Storm will face the winner of Sunday’s preliminary final between the Broncos and Panthers, next Sunday in the grand final.

Originally published as Jahrome Hughes’ insane NRL elimination final display laid bare as Storm book grand final spot