Cameron Munster has opened up on Ryan Papenhuyzen’s future, admitting the former Storm fullback was left so “rattled” by his latest concussion that a comeback to professional sport now seems unlikely.
The 27-year-old shocked the rugby league world last week by announcing his departure from the Storm, despite still having a year to run on his contract.
The decision marks the latest blow in a career plagued by injuries and ongoing health challenges that have derailed his playing days in recent seasons.
While Melbourne confirmed his release and said the fullback would “take a break away from the game to consider his future,” Chief Executive Justin Rodski admitted the club was uncertain what Papenhuyzen’s next move would be.
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“It started to emerge that perhaps Ryan was looking to take some time out from the game and professional sport so we worked closely with him on that over that period of time,” Rodski told SEN radio.
“In the end he came to that decision that his preference would be to seek a release from the club so he could take some time away from the game and professional sport and have a think about what he wants to do not just in sport but life.”
Papenhuyzen has been heavily linked to the rebel rugby competition, R360, with reports suggesting his release could allow him to join the breakaway code without risking a potential 10-year NRL ban if he ever chose to return.
However, speaking after the Kangaroos’ second Test win over England, Munster said he isn’t convinced his former teammate will come back to the field at all.
"I'm disappointed that we're losing him, he's been a class player for us for a long time and I know he's had a long run of injuries," Munster told Sydney's Triple M.
"He's had some interesting stuff with his head too, obviously the last one (concussion) he had was against the Broncos in Brissy. It got him a bit rattled and he's put his health before himself and taken a year off.
"There's obviously been speculation about him going somewhere else and switching codes (to R360) but knowing Paps, he's an honest man and if he says he needs a year off then he needs a year off. I don't know what lies ahead.
"I know he's doing a lot of psychology and work with his brain and stuff around the mind. So he might even end up doing those things... I won't talk a whole heap more about it. It's his life, all the best with it and I won't be a stranger... We have a great relationship."