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Match Preview

Storm v Titans: Munster to fullback; Campbell No.1 gun

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The Storm got back on track with a win over the Warriors and will look to pick up momentum against a struggling Titans outfit which has lost nine in a row.

A top-four finish will be the focus for Melbourne who face a tough run home with games against the Panthers, Broncos, Roosters and Eels after this weekend.

The Titans are out to restore pride after a horror season and if they are to rattle the Storm's cage much will depend on David Fifita and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui laying a foundation for AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell to work off.

A trip to AAMI Park is a daunting prospect at the best of times but for a team low on confidence and teetering towards a second wooden spoon in four years, it's going to take a mighty effort to avoid a blowout.

Sportsbet Betting preview: Storm v Titans

The Rundown

Team news

Storm: Cameron Munster moves to fullback, with Tyran Wishart bumped back to the bench and Cooper Johns joining the team at five-eighth. Xavier Coates makes his return from injury on the wing, taking the place of Dean Ieremia who is now the replacement player. Tui Kamikamica will start at lock and Josh King goes back to the bench. Hooker Brandon Smith is back from suspension, while winger David Nofoaluma makes his club debut after arriving on loan from the Wests Tigers. Powerhouse centre Justin Olam is out with COVID. 

Titans: After originally being named on the bench, Greg Marzhew will start on the wing with Patrick Herbert dropping out. Sam McIntyre is the new man on the interchange. Jayden Campbell returns to the starting side at fullback after two games on the interchange, with AJ Brimson at five-eighth and Tanah Boyd the halfback. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
    Fullback for Titans is number 1 Jayden Campbell
  • Winger for Storm is number 2 David Nofoaluma
    Winger for Titans is number 2 Jojo Fifita
  • Centre for Storm is number 3 Marion Seve
    Centre for Titans is number 3 Phillip Sami
  • Centre for Storm is number 22 Young Tonumaipea
    Centre for Titans is number 4 Brian Kelly
  • Winger for Storm is number 20 Xavier Coates
    Winger for Titans is number 14 Greg Marzhew
  • Five-Eighth for Storm is number 19 Cooper Johns
    Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 AJ Brimson
  • Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
    Halfback for Titans is number 7 Tanah Boyd

Forwards

  • Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
    Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
  • Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
    Hooker for Titans is number 9 Aaron Booth
  • Prop for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
    Prop for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
    2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich
    2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
  • Lock for Storm is number 15 Tui Kamikamica
    Lock for Titans is number 13 Erin Clark

Interchange

  • Interchange for Storm is number 1 Tyran Wishart
    Interchange for Titans is number 15 Herman Ese'ese
  • Interchange for Storm is number 13 Josh King
    Interchange for Titans is number 16 Isaac Liu
  • Interchange for Storm is number 14 Brandon Smith
    Interchange for Titans is number 17 Jaimin Jolliffe
  • Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tom Eisenhuth
    Interchange for Titans is number 18 Sam McIntyre

Reserves

  • Replacement for Storm is number 5 Dean Ieremia
    Replacement for Titans is number 19 Corey Thompson

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

Key match-up

Felise Kaufusi v Tino Fa'asuamaleaui: Two Maroons hardheads who leave nothing in the tank every time they take the field. Having spent time away in the USA with his ill father, Kaufusi has powered back with 97 tackles and 257 running metres in the past three matches. The big game specialist will continue to build for the finals and be ready to explode in September. Tino's Titans won't be there when the whips are cracking but the young skipper has done all he can to ensure they don't collect the wooden spoon, running for 153 metres per match and busting 42 tackles so far this season.

Stat Attack

The Storm lead the NRL for dummy half runs with 268, well clear of the Bulldogs in second place with 223. The 1-2 punch of Harry Grant and Brandon Smith out of dummy half has brought plenty of defensive lines undone in 2022 and they are reunited on Friday after Smith's three-game suspension for contrary conduct.

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National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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