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Storm halfback Hughes has hand surgery

3 minute read

Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes has had hand surgery after their 22-8 win over Souths with Cameron Smith in the mix to replace him.

JAHROME HUGHES.
JAHROME HUGHES. Picture: Robert Prezioso/Getty Images

Cameron Smith could make a shock appearance as Melbourne halfback with Jahrome Hughes undergoing surgery on a broken hand that will sideline him for at least two weeks.

Hughes suffered the injury during the Storm's 22-8 victory over South Sydney on Friday night at AAMI Park, although the No.7 played out the match.

Hughes had a mixed bag against the Rabbitohs, setting a up try and appearing to score another before the bunker ruled obstruction, but he also threw some wayward passes.

His partner, Cameron Munster, helped cover any blemishes with a stand-out performance.

Their partnership has been a work in progress since Hughes took over halfback in the lead-up to last year's NRL finals.

While Ryley Jacks is the likely replacement for next Saturday's clash with Newcastle, coach Craig Bellamy revealed that veteran hooker Smith was in the mix.

Smith last started there six years ago but halfback great Andrew Johns has been vocal this week saying he would offer the Storm more value at No.7.

"We've got to make a bit of a decision there," Bellamy told ABC Grandstand on Saturday.

"Obviously we could put Cameron (Smith) back there and start with Brandon (Smith at hooker) or Ryley (Jacks) has played plenty of first grade and is probably the favourite.

"Cooper Johns is a young guy coming through but he hasn't played any first grade yet so I'm not sure this is the right time to be doing that.

"We wouldn't play Cameron there for the whole game and whether we started with it or we done it a bit later in the game, I'm not quite sure."

Jacks rejoined the Storm from Gold Coast this season and was named on the interchange bench for the Rabbitohs clash before being relegated to a ball boy.

Storm winger Josh Addo-Carr suffered rib cartilage damage early in the match but battled through to score a second-half try.

He will sit out most of training this week but Bellamy expects him to face the Knights.

They will also have giant prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona back from a week's suspension while centre Brenko Lee is set to retain his place after making his Storm debut - his fourth NRL club.

Bellamy believed the 24-year-old had plenty to offer and he would continue to improve.

"We just wanted to give Brenko a start," Bellamy said.

"You don't have to be Einstein to know he's got some real talent but what's let him down in the last few years is those little effort areas.

"We made him very aware what we expect of him in the pre-season; some things he struggled with and others he picked up pretty well but you knew he was out there tonight.

"He set up the first try with a good pass up the short side and every time he ran the ball he put a bit of a dint in them, that was the reason we put him in."

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