LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a recent revelation, Ryan Papenhuyzen, the Melbourne Storm fullback, opened up about the unwarranted criticism his teammate Nelson Asofa-Solomona faced following his horrific injury during the NRL finals.
Papenhuyzen's injury left the entire NRL world in shock as he went down in agonizing pain.
During a tackle, his leg got trapped under Asofa-Solomona, and he had to be stretchered off the field with a broken ankle.
This injury came just after Papenhuyzen had returned from a shattered knee cap that had kept him out of the game for over a year.
Understandably, the NRL community was astounded by the unfortunate turn of events, with Papenhuyzen now facing yet another lengthy recovery period.
Reflecting on the situation, Papenhuyzen admitted that this injury had taken a toll on him, especially considering the long road he had just traveled to return to the field.
In an interview on the Clubhouse Podcast, he expressed his usual positivity but acknowledged that this setback had hit him harder mentally and physically.
He acknowledged the need for another round of rehabilitation, which would require significant mental and physical energy.
Papenhuyzen's revelation sheds light on the emotional and physical challenges that rugby league players face during their careers.
It serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination required to overcome such setbacks and return to the sport they love.