Melbourne Storm halfback Jerome Hughes has gone from strength to strength in 2022 as one of the form players of the competition.
While Hughes was already one of the competition’s best playmakers, he may have risen to another level this campaign with nine tries, 10 try assists and 256 average kick metres per game across 12 appearances.
With Hughes a non-factor in the State of Origin series as he hails from New Zealand, both Cameron Smith and Denan Kemp think the number seven goes “unnoticed” by fans and media alike.
Smith, a former teammate of Hughes, discussed his impact for the Storm and even went as far to tell Kemp on SEN 1170 The Captain’s Run that he may be a top-three player in the comp.
Smith: “Jahrome Hughes, he will run the show (for the Storm against the Sea Eagles).
“He’s been so good, I’m tossing him up there with the three best players in the game.”
Kemp: “I agree, I absolutely agree.
“Put it this way, if he played Origin, he’d genuinely be competing and I think the general public would say, ‘He’s a top-three player in the game’.
“Because they (New Zealand) don’t play in the Origin arena (he doesn’t get the credit).”
Smith: “If you’re not an Origin player, you go a little bit unnoticed, a little bit under the radar.
“But he’s been outstanding.”
Kemp: “He has been so good over the last few years.
“His consistency over the last 24 months (is amazing).
“When you actually think of what he’s been able to achieve, I can’t think of another player outside of Cooper Cronk that has gone from a totally different style of play at fullback to a guy that marshals the troops and gets players around the field.
“His improvement is incredible and on top of all of that, he couldn’t get a start at the Titans and couldn’t get a start at the Cowboys to be a top-three player in the game.”
Hughes last weekend led New Zealand to a 26-6 win over Tonga in their first international since 2019.
He’ll line up at starting halfback for the Storm in their clash against the Sea Eagles this Thursday at 4 Pines Park.