Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is hoping to seal a contract extension with Melbourne despite doubts over his long-term future after an injury-plagued run and the rise of young gun Sua Fa’alogo.
Papenhuyzen’s manager Clinton Schifcofske will meet Melbourne officials on Thursday in a bid to finalise a contract extension for the 2020 Clive Churchill Medallist.
He is off contract at the end of next year but after three serious leg injuries in the past two years, he faces a challenge for the No.1 jersey from Fa’alogo who has been one of the best young players in the NRL this season.
Fa’alogo has already had his contract extended until the end of 2028 and coach Craig Bellamy has used each attacking weapon at fullback this season but Papenhuyzen is ahead in the pecking order for now.
He will start in Thursday’s Accor Stadium showdown with South Sydney with Fa’alogo listed among the reserves.
Waaka nervous before Broncos debut
Dual Olympic rugby sevens gold medallist Stacey Waaka admits to being nervous ahead of her NRLW debut for Brisbane, which will also incredibly be the 28-year-old’s first game of rugby league.
The New Zealand rugby union legend was proudly holding the gold medal she won in Paris when she gave her first interview as a Bronco on Wednesday, ahead of Sunday’s clash with Gold Coast.
Waaka has achieved it all in rugby union, having previously won two 15-a-side World Cups plus sevens gold at the 2020 Olympics, 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 World Cup.
“I’m just keen to give it a go,” Waaka said of her code switch.
“I’m here to learn lots, take what I’ve learnt and hopefully help some of the girls and vice versa.
“I probably wanted something different, I’ve been playing for New Zealand 10 years now and it is quite a long time and it’s cool, it’s fun and it’s comfortable.
Bringing the gold medal energy to Brisbane ????
— Brisbane Broncos (@brisbanebroncos) August 5, 2024
Welcome to the Broncos family @staceywaaka ????
“I love what I do but here I’ve seen some of my friends come over (to the NRLW) and just excel.
“It’s been amazing watching them play and do well, so I’m like, cool, you’ve inspired me, and you’ve motivated me to come and do the same thing.
“I know how big NRL is in Australia, and I know how many girls have cross-coded from New Zealand to play this unreal sport.”
Waaka explained why she was feeling “nervous” ahead of her debut.
“For me, it’s about something different. I’ve never played league ever,” she said.
“I’ve only just started watching it, probably the last couple of years, and it’s cool.
“I know there’s a little bit more structure than sevens. It’s a bit more free flowing.
“But I’ve literally come with an open mind, don’t really know plays or anything, and I’ve learnt heaps in the last few days that I’ve been here.
“I’m very uncomfortable, but I love being in that zone.”
Waaka trained with the Broncos on Tuesday night and has been named on the wing against the Titans, alongside her former teammate Gayle Broughton who will play No.6 after missing the side’s opening two losses of the season with a back injury.
Finals footy arrives early for Dragons
Welcome to finals football one month early St George Illawarra.
Saturday’s bumper clash with Canterbury could be the biggest game for some of their inexperienced players, and it’s precisely what the doctor ordered.
Out of the finals since 2018, St George Illawarra are suddenly on the verge of returning after last week’s shock win over Melbourne propelled them into the top eight.
And for six of the Dragons, Saturday’s game looms as the closest finals experience they will likely get before September.
The match mimics the first-week-of-finals showdown of fifth-against eighth, and a win for either team will push them one step closer to progressing.
Kogarah is already sold out days before the match with more than 17,000 fans set to be in attendance for arguably the most anticipated NRL clash in Sydney this season.
In turn, it could be the best possible preparation for the likes of Tyrell Sloan, Max Feagai, Christian Tuipulotu, Francis Molo, Jacob Liddle and Ryan Couchman, who have all never played finals.
“It’s going to be a high-intensity game. When you’re playing for that and the atmosphere, that’s what the finals are,” Couchman said.
“We do have a few players who haven’t played finals, and we also have a lot of experience in our side too.
“It could ready you for finals footy down the track, big games like this.”
Couchman maintains the Dragons will enter the match on a high, labelling the 18-16 win over the Storm as the best of his career.
The Dragons celebrate winning at AAMI Park. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/Getty Images)
“It instils a lot of confidence in us,” Couchman said.
“It was a 25-year streak that we haven’t beat them down there.
“To beat them down there gives us a lot of belief as a group and we’ll look to carry that out for the rest of the season.”
The same scenario could also be said for Canterbury, who have eight players in their side who have never ventured to the finals.
Our Olympic Champion is back ????
— St George Illawarra Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) August 6, 2024
They had an early finals warm up last week at a packed-out Belmore against Canberra, and now get a second audition.
It’s why Dragons players believe this is a match they need to have as part of their charge to September.
“This will be a good learning curve for the boys, so once we make the finals they won’t feel the pressure,” Dragons second-rower Luciano Leilua said.
“You don’t want to get the boys too hyped up about this game being finals, some boys are like it’s another game.
“But I don’t look at it as another game. If you do, you think you’ve just got to go out and do your normal thing.
“I look at it as just below a finals game. It means something, even if it’s not a finals game yet. When we run out to warm up, the boys will understand.”
with AAP
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