Papenhuyzen scored 635 career points during his Storm stint, ranking him sixth on the club’s all-time points scorers list. His 36-point performance against the Wests Tigers in round 10 this year remains the highest points scored by a Storm player in a match.
“Ryan has shown great character and resilience throughout his time at our club, and we’ve loved watching him develop into the player and person that he is today,” said Storm Chairman Matt Tripp.
“We’re obviously disappointed that his time at Storm has come to an end, but we respect his decision to take some time away from professional sport.
“We thank Ryan for his enormous contribution to our club. He departs Storm as a premiership player and Clive Churchill Medallist with 113 games to his name. We wish Ryan the very best for the next chapter in his life and career.”
David Fifita and Wayne Bennett to reunite at South Sydney
Scott Bailey
David Fifita’s move to South Sydney is complete with the Rabbitohs announcing the Gold Coast star’s imminent arrival for 2026 and 2027.
Fifita was officially released by the Titans on Tuesday, bringing to an end his dramatic five-year stint with the club.
That has paved the way for his arrival at the Rabbitohs for the start of pre-season next month, where he will be reunited with coach Wayne Bennett.
One of the most destructive players in the competition when at his best, Fifita managed only eight NRL games in 2025.
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The 25-year-old has long toyed with the idea of heading south, after opting out of a deal with the Sydney Roosters last year.
The Titans are expected to chip in part of Fifita’s salary at the Rabbitohs, with a roster clean out continuing under new coach Josh Hannay.
“The club wants to see David happy and playing football and a new opportunity will give him a chance to do that,” Hannay said.
“The entire club wish him well moving forward.”
Signed to Gold Coast on a lucrative deal for 2021, Fifita played 90 games in a stint often clouded by questions over his future.
He came off the bench in six of his eight games this year, and was at one stage dropped back to Queensland Cup before requiring ankle surgery.
Titans star David Fifita will join South Sydney for the 2026 NRL season.Credit: Getty Images
He briefly returned to the NRL, before needing further surgery.
It was Bennett who debuted Fifita as a teenager at Brisbane in 2018, before the pair found themselves at different clubs over the past seven seasons.
When asked about the prospect of signing Fifita earlier this year, Bennett labelled him a “rare talent” who the game “hadn’t seen the best of” yet.
AAP
Rabbitohs star stood down
The NRL has applied its no-fault stand-down rule to Tyrone Munro after the South Sydney winger was charged with domestic violence offences.
Police charged Munro with multiple domestic violence offences – assault occasioning actual bodily harm, stalk/intimidate with intent of fear or physical harm and common assault – over an alleged incident near Homebush earlier this year.
Munro’s lawyer, Elias Tabchouri, indicated his client would plead not guilty when the matter is mentioned in Burwood Local Court on Thursday.
“The National Rugby League (NRL) has advised South Sydney Rabbitohs player Tyrone Munro he is subject to the No-Fault Stand Down condition under the NRL Rules,” the NRL said in a statement.
“The NRL is aware that New South Wales Police charged Munro with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and stalking or intimidation with intent to cause fear of physical or mental harm on October 14, 2025.
“The decision should in no way be interpreted as a view on the innocence or guilt of the player. Under the condition, Munro is not permitted to participate in the NRL competition or related competitions.”
South Sydney’s Tyrone Munro.Credit: NRL Photos
The no-fault stand-down rule is applied to players facing charges that carry a maximum jail sentence of 11 years or more, although the NRL has discretion to apply to cases that don’t meet the threshold.
Munro is considered a rising star but it is now unclear if and when he will be able to add to his 19 NRL appearances.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491. For crisis support, contact Lifeline 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au. For alcohol and drug support call 1800 250 015 │ counsellingonline.org.au. For gambling support, call 1800 858 858.
