Munster to Fullback in 2019?

[Danger D]

Maybe the thought is to move him to FB next year after he plays with Croft for a year to help build his confidence as a primary playmaker.

[yourhero]

https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/ ... ce-slater/

Cameron Smith backs Hughes to replace Slater
Jonathan Healy, NRL.com reporter
Tue 5 Mar 2019

Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith is confident Jahrome Hughes can step up and fill the void at fullback this season.

Champion fullback Billy Slater departed the Storm at the end of last season and Scott Drinkwater appeared the man most likely to fill the void in the No.1 jersey after he started at the back in both pre-season trials.

But Drinkwater is expected to be sidelined for up to four months after he ruptured a pec muscle against the Cowboys in Mackay on Saturday night.

That leaves Hughes as the next man up for Storm in the crucial fullback position and Smith said the young Kiwi was more than capable of slotting in.

"Jahrome is an accomplished fullback and he can fill that void quite well," Smith said at AAMI Park on Tuesday as Storm unveiled real estate company Purplebricks as their new jersey sponsor.

"Things don't really change in regards to how we go about our football.

"It's just a bit hard for everyone to get their heads around that someone who has trained with us all pre-season will be out of action for the majority of the season.

"But once we get around that it is all systems go."

Smith said it was a devastating blow to lose Drinkwater to injury, although he backed the young gun to recover quickly and regain his best form in no time.

"It is just awful as it looks like he is out for about 16 weeks," Smith added.

"These things are an evil part of our game and to see a young guy on the up do it is devastating."

Smith made his first appearance of the pre-season against the Cowboys on Saturday with the veteran hooker surviving a 50-minute run in humid conditions during Storm's 14-6 loss to the Cowboys in the north of Queensland.

The Storm captain said his body was feeling good ahead of Melbourne's blockbuster Telstra Premiership opener against Brisbane.

"[The Broncos are] traditional rivals of ours and we couldn't ask for a better start to the season," Smith said.

"I had a good hit-out a couple of days ago in Mackay where [Storm coach Craig Bellamy] gave me 50 minutes, I got through it unscathed and am looking forward to the first game."

[yourhero]

Interesting hearing Jahrome and Craig's comments over the past week or so in the media spots ahead of round 1.

Apparently Hughes came back from an extended break in the off-season (due to travelling with the NZ team) and was well out of shape. He was given a "gentle reminder" by Craig as to what is expected of him and has trained hard since. Craig made a particular point of the fact that with Slater retiring and a fulltime spot opening up in a key position, he couldn't understand the mentality in coming back unprepared to take the opportunity and run with it.

Explains (partly) why Drinkwater appeared to have the starting FB role sewn up pre-injury.

Hopefully that is the only wake-up call needed and Jahrome learns from it. I would hate to think it is reflective of his general work ethic.

[blazza18]

That's really disappointing from Hughes.

[Lucas]

That's really disappointing from Hughes.

Well he is a Maori after all

Cool. Now they can ban you for being a racist asshole. Bye!

[Danger D]

Explains (partly) why Drinkwater appeared to have the starting FB role sewn up pre-injury.

Thanks for that insight. I was wondering exactly that after Hughes seemed to be odds on favourite for the spot at the end of last season. I'll echo your hopes in it not being indicative of his work ethic.