Star Olam focused on Chambers showdown

PAPUA New Guinea international Justin Olam says he is looking forward to facing his old Melbourne teammate and Cronulla recruit Will Chambers when his Storm host the Sharks at AAMI Park tonight (6pm kick-off).
Former Queensland Maroons and Australian Kangaroos centre Chambers last played in the NRL when Melbourne faced the Sydney Roosters in the 2019 preliminary final.
Tonight’s clash will be the 32-year-old’s first National Rugby League (NRL) match in 580 days and what better way to return from Japanese rugby than to do it against Melbourne and Olam – the man who replaced him in the Storm’s pecking order.
But former Lae Snax Tiger and SP Hunter Olam is unfazed by the match-up as he prepares to make his 46th NRL appearance against interim coach Josh Hannay’s 13th-placed Sharks.
“He’s a competitor,” the 27-year-old told Storm TV of Melbourne life member Chambers earlier this week.
“He’s always out there, putting in 100 per cent, so it’ll be a good challenge for us.
“I’m looking forward to playing (against) him.”
Olam said his left-edge combination with New South Wales Origin winger Josh Addo-Carr and New Zealand international Kenneath Bromwich needed better service from their spine of Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Nicho Hynes, Brandon Smith and Harry Grant.
“Our right edge (of centre Reimis Smith, back-rower Felise Kaufusi and winger George Jennings) has been killing it, so they deserve a lot of ball.
“But whenever we get our hands on the ball, we need to make a good statement.”
Chambers – known for his sledging at representative and club level – told http://NRL.com that he wasn’t expecting his former teammates to take it easy on him.
“We’re playing one of if not the best sides in the competition, playing Melbourne in Melbourne, the way they played on Sunday was pretty impressive, so I know what to expect,” he said.
“They’re going to come after me. It’s part and parcel of footy. Just take it and go, ‘you know what, I’m going to go and give it back to them’. You don’t stand there and just take it.
“I’m excited, I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be funny running out on AAMI Park in a different-coloured jersey but I just hope I go out there, give it my best for the Sharks.”

“ He’s always out there, putting in 100 per cent, so it’ll be a good challenge for us. I’m looking forward to playing (against) him.”

Meanwhile, Olam said he was confident that stand-in centre Tom Eisenhuth would step up alongside him against Cronulla’s centre pairing of Chambers and Jesse Ramien.
“It’s the next-man-up mentality,” he said.
“I’m pretty sure everyone is going to be ready to play.”
Olam also backed injured fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen’s replacement Nicho Hynes, Smith and Grant to step up and take control of their round-eight clash as the fourth-placed Storm aim to keep pace with frontrunners Penrith, Parramatta and South Sydney.
“Whenever he (Hynes) comes into fill in at fullback, he always gives his best,” he said.
“He’s a very talented player.
“I think with Brandon and Harry, they’re different (from club legend Cameron Smith).
“Whenever they see an opportunity, they just take it with both hands.
“It’s up to both edges to play at the speed that they’re playing.
“Cameron is more passive, he organises plays and executes them.”
The Storm and Sharks have played each other 40 times since 1998 with Melbourne winning 25 of those matches. Their last clash saw Melbourne put 40 points on the Sharks, with Olam among the Storm’s six try scorers in round 17 at AAMI Park last season.
Olam, Jennings and Addo-Carr (all with four tries apiece) are the Storm’s second-highest try scorers so far this season, behind 2020 Clive Churchill medallist Papenhuyzen (eight).