Papenhuyzen heads to US to continue rehab
Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen will take the next step in the rehabilitation of his fractured kneecap by spending two weeks with a world-renowned specialist in the United States.
Supported by Storm partner Grill’d, the 2020 Clive Churchill Medal winner left Melbourne this afternoon bound for Philadelphia where he will work under the guidance of Bill Knowles, who specialises in developing and implementing reconditioning strategies for athletes following injury.
The intensive fortnight will include sessions twice a day with Papenhuyzen to return to Storm for the second week of the annual Geelong camp to continue his preparations for the 2023 NRL season.
Storm’s High Performance team began planning for Papenhuyzen’s visit to Knowles Athletic in November. The club’s High Performance Manager Lachlan Penfold has previous experience working with elite sports stars in the US.
Papenhuyzen, who sustained the injury in July against the Canberra Raiders, will be accompanied by Storm physiotherapist Liam Robinson.
The three-time Storm Back of the Year winner said he did not have a timeline for his return to the playing field.
“This is an opportunity to progress my rehab,” Papenhuyzen said.
“I don’t want to go into this with any expectations. I just want to go in and do my best and see how I come out after that.
‘I’ll be learning new things, knowing it’s going to be tough.
“I’ve jumped at the opportunity. I like to do these type of things that are a little bit different.
“Once Lachie mentioned it as a possibility, we went pretty hard to make sure it was going to happen. A big thanks goes to everyone at the club and to our sponsor Grill’d for supporting the trip.
“I’ve got work to do to get back to where I want to be. I know I still have a long way to go.”
Papenhuyzen said while the recovery time from his injury, which saw his kneecap fracture into multiple pieces, had been frustrating, he was sure there would be good times to come.
“My time will come I think. It’s just about getting through these parts of the process now,” he said.
“It’s a journey but any career is a bit of a journey.
“If I experience these hardships now, hopefully I get a bit of luck at the end of (my career). It’s all part of it.”
Storm CEO Justin Rodski said Papenhuyzen’s two weeks with Knowles Athletic would give the fullback the best possible tuition and advice to get back to fill fitness.
“Bill Knowles comes hlghly recommended following the work he has done with a number of sporting stars across many sports who have been in a similar situation to Paps,” he said.
“This rehab work will be an important next step in his recovery. We know Paps will leave no stone unturned to get his body right and we are confident he will be back out on the field as soon as possible.
“We would like to extend a huge thanks to our loyal and valued partner Grill’d who have supported the trip above and beyond what they already do for our club.”
Storm’s NRL squad will return from their Christmas-New Year break on Wednesday with Rugby League World Cup winners Cameron Munster and Harry Grant plus Jahrome Hughes, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Tui Kamikamica and Justin Olam officially rejoining their teammates for the first time this pre-season.
Storm’s first Pre-Season Challenge match will be against the Sydney Roosters at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong on February 12.
