Parramatta coach Jason Ryles’ NRL debut will be one to forget after his long-term mentor Craig Bellamy’s Melbourne Storm juggernaut embarrassed the Eels at AAMI Park on Sunday.
The Storm ran in eight tries in the first half alone to sprint away to a 46-6 lead at the break before easing off the throttle in the second period to cruise to a 56-18 cakewalk.
Ryles was handed the toughest task in his debut as a head coach in the NRL – an opening-round trip to Melbourne with Bellamy’s side now making it 23 straight seasons without defeat to in week one.
Ryan Papenhuyzen had a field day at the back, crossing for two with winger Xavier Coates doing likewise while centre Nick Meaney finished with a personal haul of 20 points from a four-pointer of his own and eight conversions.
The Storm established the uppper hand in the opening 20 minutes via a try to Papenhuyzen and another to prop Josh King.
What followed was an avalanche of points as the home side raced in six more tries before the break, conceding one to Eels winger Jake Tago late in the half.
There were three in a six-minute stretch to Eliesa Katoa either side of Coates crossing for his pair as the Eels looked like a State Cup squad having a midweek opposed training session against the senior side.
Unfortunately for them, this was no training run – well, not for them anyway – this was an NRL fixture broadcast on free-to-air television to the masses.
Even though Bellamy was not thrilled that the Storm eased off in the second half, it was understandable given the two competition points had been well and truly wrapped up before the interval and they have the bye in Round 2.
Ryan Papenhuyzen makes a break to score a try. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Star half Jahrome Hughes, who rushed back to be fit from a neck injury, may as well have not bothered and he was given an early mark midway through the second half after becoming the eighth Storm player to get on the scoresheet.
Will Penisini and fullback Isaiah Iongi, who for what it is worth went well in his club debut, grabbed consolation tries in the closing stages.
For the long-suffering Eels fans who need something to cling onto, they ended up winning the second half by two points but that means little after you fall behind by 40 in as many minutes
