Sea Eagles v Storm: Hopoate to debut; Hughes set to return
The Sea Eagles are back on home turf at 4 Pines Park and looking to snap a three-game losing streak when they host the Storm on Friday night.
Manly's losses to the Raiders, Dolphins and Broncos have seen them drop from fourth to 10th on the ladder but the total losing margin across the three games is just seven points so it's not all doom and gloom at Brookvale.
The Storm sit in second after wiping the Eels off the park at Magic Round but a recurrence of a groin injury to star playmaker Cameron Munster could prove to be a pivotal moment in their season.
The club confirmed on Monday that Munster would miss 8-10 weeks while halfback Jahrome Hughes is no certainty to return from a calf injury that has kept him out of the past two games.
Hughes and Munster have played just five games together this season while the Sea Eagles' main men Daly Cherry-Evans and Luke Brooks have played every game, fine tuning a combination the club hopes can lead them back to the finals after a two-year absence.
The Sea Eagles have won three of four at home this season and will be hoping a bumper crowd at 4 Pines Park can help turn them turn three narrow losses into a morale-boosting victory.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Sea Eagles v Storm
Team News
Sea Eagles: Tolutau Koula has been ruled out with a shoulder issue and is replaced by rookie Lehi Hopoate for his NRL debut. Jason Saab (shoulder) has been named to return earlier than expected. Nathan Brown has been named on the bench. Jaxson Paulo has dropped out of the squad an hour from kick-off.
Storm: Jahrome Hughes has been named to return from a calf injury and replaces Cam Munster (groin), pairing up with Tyran Wishart with Grant Anderson on the bench. Bronson Garlick is the 18th player, with Joe Chan dropping from the squad an hour from kick-off.
Match: Sea Eagles v Storm
Round 12 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 21 Lehi HopoateFullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi Faalogo
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason SaabWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tommy TalauCentre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben GarrickCentre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Raymond Tuaimalo VaegaWinger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
-
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke BrooksFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Tyran Wishart
-
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela PasekaProp for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica
-
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Karl LawtonHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Josh AloiaiProp for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
-
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Storm is number 13 Josh King
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Gordon Chan Kum TongInterchange for Storm is number 14 Trent Loiero
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Corey WaddellInterchange for Storm is number 15 Grant Anderson
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan BullemorInterchange for Storm is number 16 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Nathan BrownInterchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Aaron WoodsReplacement for Storm is number 18 Bronson Garlick
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sea Eagles have beaten the Storm in their last two clashes at 4 Pines Park.
- The Storm have won three in a row away from Melbourne.
- Sea Eagles centre Reuben Garrick has scored five tries in his past four games.
- Storm prop Tui Kamikamica will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has won only two of seven encounters with Craig Bellamy.
Match: Sea Eagles v Storm
Round 12 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
7th Position
away Team
Storm
3rd Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
