Former New South Wales coach Brad Fittler has expressed his disappointment at the prospect of Melbourne Storm’s fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen never receiving a call-up for State of Origin duties. After enduring several injuries in recent seasons, Papenhuyzen has demonstrated exceptional form this year, notably achieving a record 36 points against the Wests Tigers at AAMI Park.
At 26, Papenhuyzen is among the contenders vying for the No. 1 jersey in the upcoming Origin series on May 28, alongside notable players such as Dylan Edwards, James Tedesco, and Tom Trbojevic, who remains an outside candidate. Despite his talents, former player Andrew Johns believes Papenhuyzen’s chances of selection may be slim due to the strong competition for spots, stating that it’s challenging to include him in the line-up given his defensive limitations.
Papenhuyzen has represented NSW at various junior levels but has yet to earn his senior debut. His close brush with selection came in 2020, when Fittler had intended to include him, but an ankle injury prevented that from happening. Reflecting on that missed opportunity, Fittler remarked on how disappointing it would be if Papenhuyzen never appeared in an Origin match, underscoring his belief in the player’s potential.
As observers wait to see if he will finally make his mark at the State of Origin level, the upcoming selection decisions will be closely followed, particularly given the intense competition from other emerging fullbacks.