Match Preview: Round 16 v Manly
The Sea Eagles sit one game outside the eight and need to gain some momentum if they are to play finals but old rivals Melbourne arrive at 4 Pines Park on a three-game winning streak and looking ominous.
The X-factor in this clash is the availability of a host of Origin stars - Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans for the home side and Cameron Munster, Felise Kaufusi and Harry Grant for the Storm.
Munster appears to be in most doubt after picking up a shoulder injury in Origin and his absence would certainly enhance Manly's chances of picking up an eighth win and keeping the heat on the likes of the Dragons and Rabbitohs.
Regardless of who takes the field the Manly-Melbourne rivalry will be as intense as ever and the middle of the park will be no place for the faint hearted as these two heavyweights go toe-to-toe.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Sea Eagles v Storm
The Rundown
Team news
Sea Eagles: Josh Aloiai suffered a concussion playing for Samoa on Saturday night and will be rested so Sean Keppie moves to the starting side and Taniela Paseka joins the bench. Having recovered from a knee injury Paseka has been 18th man for Manly's last two matches and is ready to line up for his first NRL game since round seven. Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans will back up from Origin as will Tongan reps Christian Tuipulotu and Tolutau Koula, Samoan pair Josh Schuster and Marty Taupau and Kiwi Kieran Foran.
Storm: Changes galore for the visitors. Ryan Papenhuyzen returns for his first game since round nine at fullback. Cameron Munster has succumbed to the shoulder injury he suffered in Origin II and will miss the match. Nick Meaney moves from fullback to wing with Dean Ieremia moving to the bench. Jayden Nikorima will start at five-eighth and partner Jahrome Hughes in the halves. Tui Kamikamica will start with Josh King reverting to the bench alongside Alec Macdonald and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Match: Sea Eagles v Storm
Round 16 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Reuben GarrickFullback for Storm is number 19 Ryan Papenhuyzen
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Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason SaabWinger for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Morgan HarperCentre for Storm is number 3 Marion Seve
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tolutau KoulaCentre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
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Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Christian TuipulotuWinger for Storm is number 5 Grant Anderson
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Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Kieran ForanFive-Eighth for Storm is number 14 Jayden Nikorima
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Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Sean KeppieProp for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
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Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan CrokerHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Toafofoa SipleyProp for Storm is number 15 Tui Kamikamica
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Chris Lewis
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Andrew Davey2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich
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Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Storm is number 13 Brandon Smith
Interchange
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Dylan WalkerInterchange for Storm is number 2 Dean Ieremia
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Josh SchusterInterchange for Storm is number 10 Josh King
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Martin TaupauInterchange for Storm is number 17 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Taniela PasekaInterchange for Storm is number 18 Alec MacDonald
Reserves
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Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Ben TrbojevicReplacement for Storm is number 20 Tyran Wishart
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Key match-up
Daly Cherry-Evans v Jahrome Hughes: The Manly skipper will be stinging after Queensland's defeat in Origin Two and he'll look to bounce back with a big game in front of the Sea Eagles faithful. His composure and game management will be critical if Manly are to spring an upset. In stark contrast, Hughes will be riding high after helping the Kiwis to a brilliant Test win over Tonga in which he contributed a try, two line breaks, five tackle breaks and 132 running metres. The classy playmaker has racked up 10 try assists in 12 games for the Storm and has them purring nicely in attack as yet another finals series looms.
Stat Attack
The Storm lead the competition for tries scored in 2022 with 77 at a tick over five per game. Manly have managed 55 tries in their 15 games to sit eighth overall. Ryan Papenhuyzen (12) and Xavier Coates (11) have contributed 23 of the Storm's tries while Reuben Garrick leads the charge for Manly with 11.
Match: Sea Eagles v Storm
Round 16 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
8th Position
away Team
Storm
3rd Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
