Two powerhouses of the modern era will look to make one almighty statement when they kick off Round 6 on Thursday night in Melbourne.
The Storm and Roosters have both won three games in 2023 to sit inside a top eight that bears little resemblance to the way things finished last year with the Sharks, Rabbitohs, Cowboys and Eels all on the outer after moderate starts to the season.
Craig Bellamy's men have home ground advantage and momentum up after an impressive win over the Rabbitohs in Round 5 while the Roosters are also coming off a victory, having taken care of the Eels in emphatic fashion on the back of a dominant performance by Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (21 runs for 180m).
The Storm have won five of the past six clashes between the two sides but it was the Roosters who prevailed 18-14 in the most recent meeting in Round 24 last year courtesy of tries to Daniel Tupou, Joseph Manu and Joseph Suaalii.
Another tense and tight encounter can be expected as the 2018 grand finalists write another chapter in a great rivalry that has filled endless highlight reels during the past decade.
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Team News
Storm: The side will run out as per programme with Grant Anderson listed as 18th man. Chief playmaker Jahrome Hughes returns from suspension while Blues Origin rep Tariq Sims returns to the bench.
Roosters: There are no late changes for the visitors. The absence of skipper James Tedesco (concussion) sees Joey Manu take the fullback role in his return from suspension in the only change to the starting 13 that got the win in Round 5. On the bench, Terrell May comes in for Naufahu Whyte, who goes to 18th man. Edge forward Sitili Tupouniua has been named to play NSW Cup for North Sydney as he continues to work his way back from an ACL injury suffered in Round 18 last year.
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Stat Attack
- The Storm have won five of their past six games against the Roosters.
- The Roosters have won two of their past three matches at AAMI Park.
- Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored 13 tries in 11 games at AAMI Park.
- The Roosters have won seven of their past eight games with Joseph Manu at fullback.
- Cameron Munster will partner Jahrome Hughes in the Storm’s halves for the first time since Round 1.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .