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Match Preview

Storm v Roosters: Kaufusi returns; Double boost for Chooks

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pan66.com
Timestamp

Two of the NRL's hottest teams go head-to-head in an epic clash that pits an array of the game's superstars against one another.

From Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes in the purple corner to James Tedesco, Joey Manu and Luke Keary in the red, white and blue corner, this is a Friday night showdown to savour.

The Storm sit fourth with tough games to come against the Roosters and Eels, while Trent Robinson's men are sixth, equal on 28 competition points with the Rabbitohs and Broncos but boasting a far superior differential thanks to their demolition of Wests Tigers.

Melbourne are another side with a monster points differential so a win in either of their last two games will be enough to secure the double chance in the finals.

The Rundown

Team news

Storm: Late changes an hour before kick-off with Marion Seve to start in the centres and Young Tonumaipea dropping back to 18th Man. Chris Lewis drops out, replaced on the bench by Trent Loiero. In his return from personal leave Felise Kaufusi has gone back to the bench and Tui Kamikamica will start the game.

Winger Xavier Coates is good to go after suffering a head knock against Brisbane but utility Tyran Wishart won't play until the finals due to an ankle injury. 

Roosters: Drew Hutchison will start the game in the centres and Paul Momirovski has gone to 18th Man in a late switch. Experienced forwards Lindsay Collins (concussion) and Siosiua Taukeiaho (cheekbone) make their returns via the bench in a timely boost for the Roosters ahead of the finals. Terrell May and Oliver Gildart are the men to make way.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
    Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
  • Winger for Storm is number 2 David Nofoaluma
    Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
  • Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
    Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
  • Centre for Storm is number 22 Marion Seve
    Centre for Roosters is number 18 Drew Hutchison
  • Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
    Winger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
  • Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
    Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
  • Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
    Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker

Forwards

  • Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
    Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
  • Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
    Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam Verrills
  • Prop for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
    Prop for Roosters is number 10 Matthew Lodge
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 15 Tui Kamikamica
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
  • Lock for Storm is number 13 Brandon Smith
    Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley

Interchange

  • Interchange for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
    Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
  • Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tom Eisenhuth
    Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Egan Butcher
  • Interchange for Storm is number 17 Josh King
    Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Lindsay Collins
  • Interchange for Storm is number 19 Trent Loiero
    Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Siosiua Taukeiaho

Reserves

  • Replacement for Storm is number 3 Young Tonumaipea
    Replacement for Roosters is number 3 Paul Momirovski 

Match Officials

  • Referee: Adam Gee
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated:

Key match-up

Cameron Munster v James Tedesco: The Storm's main man has been electric since making the move to fullback, bobbing up all over the field and revelling in the open spaces provided. He is also being asked to do far less defensive work which means he is fresher and even more lethal when an opportunity presents itself. Tedesco has 12 tries, 12 try assists and 159 tackle breaks to his credit in 2022 - another stellar season in a career that continues to hit new heights. The Roosters No.1 is averaging 216 running metres per game, bobbing up anywhere and everywhere to capitalise on the work of JWH and Lodge in the middle and Keary and Walker out wide.

Stat Attack

They say defence wins premierships but it's with ball in hand that the Storm and Roosters are setting the benchmark. Melbourne have scored more points (629) and tries (105) than any other team in 2022 and the Roosters sit second in both categories with 591 points and 105 tries.

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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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