Match Preview: Round 7 v Roosters
Both coming off big wins, the Roosters and Storm will welcome a chance to flex their premiership muscles when the two competition heavyweights kick off Round 7 at Allianz Stadium.
Melbourne are sitting pretty at second on the ladder after stealing another narrow victory off the Bulldogs on Friday to boast a 4-1 record after the first six rounds.
With all four of those wins coming out of AAMI Park, Thursday night's showdown will come as a big opportunity for Craig Bellamy's side to prove they can carry their winning form on the road after going down to the Knights in Newcastle in Round 3.
The Roosters, meanwhile, will be hot off a morale boosting win over Newcastle, overcoming the absence of several big names to claim their fourth victory for the season.
The performance of Joey Manu was a bright spot for the Roosters and Trent Robinson will be hoping the Kiwi superstar will continue to get plenty of opportunities when he slides back to the centres this week.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Roosters v Storm
Team News
Roosters: No further changes on game day after Sam Walker was ruled out on Wednesday after he failed to pass the concussion protocols. James Tedesco (concussion) returns after missing Round 6, with Joey Manu shifting back to the centres and Joseph-Aukuso Suaali'i going to the wing. Sitili Tupouniua is sidelined with a head knock, his place on the bench taken by Egan Butcher. Fetalaiga Pauga is 18th man.
Storm: Kiwi giant Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been moved to the bench an hour before kick-off in his first game of the season, with Christian Welch to start the game. Tui Kamikamica has been sidelined by a calf injury, while Joe Chan (hand) is back from injury on the bench. Jack Howarth is 18th man.
Match: Roosters v Storm
Round 7 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Michael JenningsCentre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuCentre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'iWinger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Connor WatsonFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Luke KearyHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
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Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon SmithHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Storm is number 15 Christian Welch
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Nat Butcher2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Zach Dockar-ClayInterchange for Storm is number 8 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Naufahu WhyteInterchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
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Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Egan ButcherInterchange for Storm is number 16 Joe Chan
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell MayInterchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald
Reserves
-
Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Fetalaiga PaugaReplacement for Storm is number 19 Jack Howarth
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have not defeated the Storm in Sydney since 2019.
- The Storm have won eight of their past nine games against the Roosters.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored five tries in six games in 2024.
- Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored seven tries in his past three games against the Roosters.
- The Roosters have not won back-to-back games in 2024.
Match: Roosters v Storm
Round 7 -
home Team
Roosters
11th Position
away Team
Storm
2nd Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
