Eels v Storm: Arthur sticks solid; Hughes ruled out
The Eels get a golden opportunity to climb in to the top four and earn a double chance if they can knock off the Storm in a mouth-watering Thursday night clash at CommBank Stadium.
Parramatta's win over the Broncos took them to 32 competition points, equal with the Storm who lost to the Roosters, so the winner of this match is guaranteed two bites of the cherry in the finals.
Both sides have shown enough in recent weeks to suggest they can mount a serious challenge for the title and the winner of Thursday night's game takes huge momentum into September.
The atmosphere at CommBank Stadium will be electric as the Eels look to make it two wins over the Storm for the season after scraping home 28-24 in Round 3 in Melbourne.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Eels v Storm
The Rundown
Team news
Eels: Marata Niukore will start and Ryan Matterson comes from the bench in a late switch that has become the norm in recent weeks for coach Brad Arthur. Prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard was found guilty of a dangerous contact charge at the judiciary on Tuesday night but is free to play as he faces a fine. The Eels came through their win over Brisbane unscathed so Arthur had the luxury of naming the same 17-man squad for their shot at a top-four spot.
Storm: A huge blow for the Storm with Jahrome Hughes (calf) ruled out of the clash. Cooper Johns will come into the side at halfback to partner Cameron Munster in the halves with Nick Meaney named at fullback. In a switch an hour before kick-off Tui Kamikamica comes into the starting side and Josh King goes to the bench. Felise Kaufusi returns to the second row after coming from the bench last week on his return from personal leave.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
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Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for Storm is number 2 David Nofoaluma
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Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Storm is number 3 Marion Seve
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Centre for Eels is number 4 Tom OpacicCentre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
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Winger for Eels is number 5 Waqa BlakeWinger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
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Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan BrownFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
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Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Storm is number 19 Cooper Johns
Forwards
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Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
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Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
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Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
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2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
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2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich
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Lock for Eels is number 17 Marata NiukoreLock for Storm is number 15 Tui Kamikamica
Interchange
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Interchange for Eels is number 13 Ryan MattersonInterchange for Storm is number 13 Josh King
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Interchange for Eels is number 14 Makahesi MakatoaInterchange for Storm is number 14 Brandon Smith
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Interchange for Eels is number 15 Jake ArthurInterchange for Storm is number 16 Trent Loiero
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Interchange for Eels is number 16 Oregon KaufusiInterchange for Storm is number 17 Chris Lewis
Reserves
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Replacement for Eels is number 20 Bryce CartwrightReplacement for Storm is number 18 Young Tonumaipea
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Key match-up
Mitchell Moses v Cooper Johns: It was shaping as a pivotal battle between the halfbacks prior to Jahrome Hughes' late withdrawal; now it's looming as a huge test for Cooper Johns against one of the competition's finest playmakers. With 22 try assists to his name, Moses is No.1 in the NRL in that category, and he has 14 line break assists and 16 forced dropouts for good measure. After missing two weeks with a finger injury Moses has returned in dazzling fashion to orchestrate wins over the Bulldogs and Broncos as Parra tune up for a shot at their first title in 36 years. How the Storm go at handling him, and bringing their own attacking flair, will be key. Johns performed admirably when Melbourne downed Penrith just a few weeks ago, and it'll be fascinating to see how he, Nick Meaney and Cameron Munster combine in attack with the latter adopting his move roving fullback-five-eighth role in recent weeks.
Stat Attack
The Eels have won seven of 10 at CommBank Stadium this season while the Storm are 7-4 away from home. The last time the sides met at this venue the Eels got home 16-12 in Round 2 last year thanks to a late Maika Sivo try.
Match: Eels v Storm
Round 25 -
home Team
Eels
4th Position
away Team
Storm
5th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
