No setbacks in Papenhuyzen’s push for NRL return

Jasper Bruce and Scott Bailey | April 4, 2023

Ryan Papenhuyzen insists there have been no setbacks in his return from a fractured knee cap, with the NRL superstar running on firm ground for the first time in almost nine months.

The Melbourne fullback has ramped up his recovery in the past week, transitioning from running in water and on sand only.

No timeline has been set and 24-year-old Papenhuyzen says he still has a long way to go but he remains hopeful of playing this season.

With his shattered kneecap requiring surgery after a collision with Canberra’s Jack Wighton last July, Papenhuyzen was initially expected to be back playing as soon as this week.

But the club has taken a cautious approach while also seeking the assistance of Philadelphia-based rehab expert Bill Knowles.

“It’s a long year, so I was aware of that,” Papenhuyzen said on SEN.

“While it is weird doing a pre-season while the boys are in games. I had trust in the medical staff I would get back.

“There was a perception on the outside that if I am not back by round six or eight, something was wrong with my rehab.

“That’s not the case. We wanted to get back to a spot where I could perform at a high level.

“I haven’t had a full season since 2020. We looked at that as remodelling, and then coming back hitting the ground running.”

Papenhuyzen joined team training on Monday and said initial running on land had gone well.

“Now that I’m back running, it will be just about how I back up and if I can do back-to-back days,” Papenhuyzen said.

“There is nothing set in stone yet but it’s looking promising for a return at some point.

“There’s still a long way to go to get where I need to be.”

Papenhuyzen’s rehab journey has helped inspire his housemate, Storm rookie Jonah Pezet, who has made an impressive start as an NRL player.

Tipped as a future star, 20-year-old Pezet was thrust into first grade earlier than expected when playmakers Cam Munster and Jahrome Hughes spent time on the sidelines in the past month.

Pezet let no one down, scoring a try on his NRL debut for the club he supported as a child and finishing the three-game stint with two try assists.

He will likely drop out of the side against the Sydney Roosters on Thursday, with Hughes back from his ban.

“There are no better players to learn off than the people down here,” Pezet told AAP of Papenhuyzen.

“He’s going through a tough time but he’s one of the most resilient blokes I know. He’s pretty strong, he knows what he has to do.

“It’s just about when he’s having the bad days, you don’t need to go at him about doing the dishes or anything like that.

“He’s one of the most positive blokes I know.”