Ryan Papenhuyzen won’t be available until Round 7 for Melbourne Storm

Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen was always in a race to play Round 1 but the full extent of his expected absence is much worse.

Ryan Papenhuyzen posts on his instagram doing exercises in the US as part of a rehab program. picture : Instagram

Melbourne will be without superstar Ryan Papenhuyzen for up to the first seven rounds of the NRL season despite a pre-season trip to the US for extra help in his recovery from a serious knee injury.

Papenhuyzen has not played since he fractured his kneecap last July and while he had spoken about getting back early in the season the true reality of his recovery was laid bare on Tuesday.

Storm officials confirmed the fullback was not on track to return until at least April putting a huge dent in their early season plans following a broken arm to star centre Justin Olam. .

“Paps continues to work hard on his rehab program, building strength in his right leg,” the club said in their injury report ahead of this week’s trial game against the Warriors.

“If he continues to progress well, it‘s hoped he will return to the field around rounds six to eight.”

Check-in with our injured squad members in the latest rehab report 🤕

— Melbourne Storm (@storm) February 14, 2023

It’s a hammer blow to Storm’s backline which will also be without winger George Jennings through the opening rounds as he continues to recover from an ACL injury.

Veteran backrower Tariq Sims, recruited to help fill the void left by the departures of Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi, also won’t play until after the season starts due to calf issues.

“A calf injury has kept the former NSW Origin forward out of the trials,” the club said.

“He is building towards a return to full training and should be available in the early rounds of the season.”

Nick Meaney looms as the starting fullback for Melbourne from Round 1, with the backline options thin apart from rookie Jack Howarth who is yet to make his NRL debut.

The bad news for Storm comes as the Broncos could be without star fullback Reece Walsh for the opening rounds after scans confirmed the young gun suffered a facial fracture in Sunday’s pre-season match against the Titans.

Walsh was outstanding in the 24-all draw, scoring the first try with his blistering speed and nailing a couple of incredible sideline conversions as the Broncos raced out to a big halftime lead.

But he’s now in doubt for the season proper after he was forced off with a facial injury.

Reece Walsh was a standout performer in Sunday’s pre-season challenge. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“Reece had a CT scan which confirmed a fracture to his eye’s orbital floor with no surgery required,” Broncos head of performance Dave Ballard said.

“Reece’s recovery will be monitored in the weeks ahead before a decision is made on his availability for the opening round of the competition.”

The Broncos face a daunting start to the new season, with Brisbane to travel to Sydney to take on defending premiers Penrith before they return home for a blockbuster Queensland derby against the Cowboys.

Having Walsh on the park would be a huge boost given how good the side looked with him on Sunday night, and the fact he didn’t require surgery means there’s every chance he’ll be right to play.

Walsh is keen to bounce back after an indifferent year with the Warriors. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

It looms as a big season for Walsh, who returns to Brisbane after a stint with the Warriors where he showed patches of brilliance but wasn’t able to do it consistently with a team that failed to fire in attack.

He could be the missing ingredient for a Broncos team that faltered late to just miss out on the finals, with their inability to settle on a fullback something that probably cost them in attack and defence at different stages of the year.

Herbie Farnworth is an option to play fullback after the club let Tesi Niu go to the Dolphins.