Storm v Roosters: Wishart in for Hughes; Momirovski good to go
The Storm won both match-ups against the Roosters throughout the 2023 regular season but face a much different prospect this time around with Trent Robinson's side full of confidence after extending their winning streak to six.
Not only are the Storm coming off a demoralising defeat but they also have the added anguish of Ryan Papenhuyzen's fractured ankle to deal with as they look to put their premiership campaign back on track.
Perhaps most alarming for coach Craig Bellamy was his side's disjointed attack, with star halves Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes throwing very little at the Broncos in a performance far removed from they dished up for most of the season.
The Roosters have injuries dramas of their own after a tense struggle with the Sharks but they arrive at AAMI Park with a strong belief that they can march on for at least another week and set up a preliminary final blockbuster against the Panthers.
That would pit two of the best teams of the modern era against one another but first the Roosters must triumph at AAMI Park, a ground where they have won just four times in 11 matches.
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Team News
Storm: Several late changes on game day with Bronson Garlick named to start at hooker and Harry Grant on the bench. Prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona has also been promoted to the starting side with skipper Christian Welch reverting to the interchange. Halfback Jahrome Hughes (calf) was officially ruled out after missing training on Thursday with Tyran Wishart confirmed to start at halfback an hour before kick off. Earlier in the week, PNG international Justin Olam was recalled in the centres to replace Young Tonumaipea, who suffered a head injury against the Broncos.
Roosters: A late switch an hour before kick off with Egan Butcher joining the starting side and Fletcher Baker moving to the bench. Paul Momirovski will return from a shoulder injury in the centres in a timely boost for the Tricolours with Joseph Manu (hamstring), Billy Smith (jaw) and Joseph Suaali'i (concussion) all out. Jaxson Paulo and Corey Allan are the other new faces in the side. Jake Turpin and Nathan Brown dropped out in the 24-hour update.
Match: Storm v Roosters
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick MeaneyFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will WarbrickWinger for Roosters is number 2 Fetalaiga Pauga
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Marion SeveCentre for Roosters is number 3 Paul Momirovski
-
Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin OlamCentre for Roosters is number 4 Corey Allan
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Reimis SmithWinger for Roosters is number 5 Jaxson Paulo
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
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Halfback for Storm is number 21 Tyran WishartHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Tui KamikamicaProp for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
-
Hooker for Storm is number 19 Bronson GarlickHooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith
-
Prop for Storm is number 16 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaProp for Roosters is number 15 Egan Butcher
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Trent Loiero2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Siua Wong
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Josh KingLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantInterchange for Roosters is number 8 Fletcher Baker
-
Interchange for Storm is number 10 Christian WelchInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Sandon Smith
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Interchange for Storm is number 15 Tom EisenhuthInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Terrell May
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Interchange for Storm is number 17 Tariq SimsInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Angus Crichton
Reserves
-
Replacement for Storm is number 18 Grant AndersonReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Drew Hutchison
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have won seven of their past eight games against the Roosters.
- The 26-0 loss to Brisbane was the first time the Storm have been held scoreless since Round 15, 2020 (14-0 v Eels).
- The Storm have won seven of their past nine finals games at AAMI Park.
- The Roosters have won eight of their 12 finals matches since the opening week of the 2018 finals series when they went on to win the premiership.
- Roosters captain James Tedesco has scored seven tries in his past nine finals matches.
- The Roosters are aiming for a seventh consecutive victory.
- The Roosters have won three of their four finals against the Storm.
- The Storm are aiming to reach a preliminary final for the eighth time in the past nine seasons.
Match: Storm v Roosters
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Storm
3rd Position
away Team
Roosters
7th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
