Fa’alogo was found out during the Storm’s loss to the Warriors in their NRL trial game.
Melbourne Storm fans who believe Sua Fa’alogo is better than Ryan Papenhuyzen were given a serious reality check on Saturday when the former produced some woeful defence efforts against the Warriors. The Storm fielded a second-string side in Hamilton, and were blown off the park in a 36-10 flogging at the hands of a Warriors outfit resembling something close to their best 17.
It was only a trial game, and the absence of the Storm’s top players should put the result into perspective. But a glaring issue presented itself in the form of Fa’alogo’s defence.
The 21-year-old is viewed as Papenhuyzen’s long-term successor at fullback and got the chance to showcase his skills in the No.1 jersey on Saturday. But what he produced on the defensive side might be ringing some alarm bells for Storm officials.
Fa’alogo produced a shocking effort as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck brushed past him to score in the ninth minute, and appeared completely unwilling to put his body on the line. He was also caught jersey-grabbing when Ali Leiataua got around him easily to score not long after.
It was only a trial game, and players can be forgiven for not wanting to go full-throttle and risk injuries. But considering it was a rare opportunity in the No.1 jersey with Papenhuyzen not playing, Fa’alogo would have been expected to want to make a statement.
One fan wrote on social media: “Fa’alogo hasn’t improved his defensive game in the offseason. An absolute shocker.” While another commented: “As good as Fa’alogo is his defence is terrible.”
Fa’alogo is an absolute live-wire in attack, but the sort of defensive efforts he produced on Saturday are not even close to first-grade standard. In complete contrast, Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga put his body on the line with an extraordinary try-saver later on Saturday night in the All-Stars game – an exhibition match. And Papenhuyzen would probably do similar.
Will Sua Fa’alogo have to leave the Melbourne Storm?
The Storm are in a tricky position of wanting to keep Papenhuyzen but not push Fa’alogo out. Fa’alogo is on a five-year deal in Melbourne, but reportedly has a handshake agreement with the club that he can look elsewhere if Papenhuyzen signs a long-term extension.
In December, Papenhuyzen put weeks of speculation to bed by signing a one-year extension that will keep him in Melbourne until the end of 2026 at the least. It also later emerged that the deal includes a mutual option for 2027 if Papenhuyzen and the club both want an extra year.
The new contract seems a short-term solution to the fullback dilemma, as it means the club can keep both Papenhuyzen and Fa’alogo for the time being. It also allows Papenhuyzen to reassess his future in 12 months’ time if he decides he wants to move back to Sydney – as has been touted over the last few months.
Sua Fa’alogo might not be ready for regular NRL
Speaking late last year, NRL great Bryan Fletcher predicted Fa’alogo will leave the Storm. “I don’t think he can wait until 2027,” Fletcher said on SEN radio. “I feel that if he doesn’t get much of a run next year (in 2025), then he’ll go. And that’s fair enough.”
But judging on Saturday’s performance, the Storm might not be too unhappy if Fa’alogo leaves. The 21-year-old clearly has a long way to go until he’s the finished product and a top-flight NRL fullback.
