Match Preview: Round 20 v Roosters
Wins over the Storm have been few and far between for the Roosters lately, but the Tricolours will be looking at this week’s clash against Melbourne as a chance to launch their late-season revival in 2023.
Having enjoyed their last bye round of the season last week, the Roosters now have two months to try and get back on track in what has been an up-and-down campaign to date, with just seven wins from 16 games.
The Storm too head into Round 20 fresh off a bye, with Saturday’s trip to the Sydney Cricket Ground kicking off a four-game stretch in which they play at home just once.
Prior to giving up 34 at the hands of Penrith in Round 18, the Storm had been on a three-game run which had seen them concede just 7.3 points per game on average.
The Roosters have beaten Melbourne just once since 2019, getting over the Storm in this corresponding fixture in Sydney last year.
This week is their first visit to the venue this year, but last season the Roosters won five of nine at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Roosters v Storm
Team News
Roosters: With captain James Tedesco rested after leading NSW to victory in Origin III, Joey Manu moves to fullback, Joseph Suaalii to centre and Junior Pauga comes in on the wing. Maroons prop Lindsay Collins will back up. Kiwi Test hooker Brandon Smith returns from a thumb injury, while fellow hooker Jake Turpin and forward Egan Butcher are back on deck after suffering head knocks.
Storm: No late changes, with Maroons stars Harry Grant, Xavier Coates and Cameron Munster all backing up 72 hours after Origin III. After serving his mandatory stand down through the bye week, Will Warbrick returns from a head knock. Bronson Garlick was replaced on the bench by Alec MacDonald on Friday.
Match: Roosters v Storm
Round 20 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuFullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy SmithCentre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
-
Centre for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso SuaaliiCentre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
-
Winger for Roosters is number 21 Fetalaiga PaugaWinger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke KearyFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sandon SmithHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesProp for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Jake TurpinHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Victor Radley2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Trent Loiero
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Nathan BrownLock for Storm is number 13 Josh King
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Brandon SmithInterchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Egan ButcherInterchange for Storm is number 15 Tom Eisenhuth
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Siua WongInterchange for Storm is number 16 Tariq Sims
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Naufahu WhyteInterchange for Storm is number 19 Alec MacDonald
Reserves
-
Replacement for Storm is number 18 Grant Anderson
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 18 Drew Hutchison
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- This year the Roosters have made more tackles than any other side in the competition, at an average of 367 per game, compared to the Storm who average 339 per game.
- The Storm have won in three of their four trips to venues in Sydney this season.
- The Roosters have scored 138 points in their past three games at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
- The Storm have won six of their past seven games against the Roosters.
- Roosters centre Joseph Manu has scored four tries in his past three games.
- Storm centres Justin Olam and Reimis Smith will play their 100th NRL games.
- Roosters forward Nat Butcher has scored six tries in his past three games at the SCG
Match: Roosters v Storm
Round 20 -
home Team
Roosters
14th Position
away Team
Storm
4th Position
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
