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Roosters v Storm: Teddy rested as stars return; Origin stars back up

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Wins over the Storm have been few and far between for the Roosters lately, but the Tricolours will be looking at this week’s clash against Melbourne as a chance to launch their late-season revival in 2023.

Having enjoyed their last bye round of the season last week, the Roosters now have two months to try and get back on track in what has been an up-and-down campaign to date, with just seven wins from 16 games.

The Storm too head into Round 20 fresh off a bye, with Saturday’s trip to the Sydney Cricket Ground kicking off a four-game stretch in which they play at home just once.

Prior to giving up 34 at the hands of Penrith in Round 18, the Storm had been on a three-game run which had seen them concede just 7.3 points per game on average.

The Roosters have beaten Melbourne just once since 2019, getting over the Storm in this corresponding fixture in Sydney last year.

This week is their first visit to the venue this year, but last season the Roosters won five of nine at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

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Team News

Roosters: With captain James Tedesco rested after leading NSW to victory in Origin III, Joey Manu moves to fullback, Joseph Suaalii to centre and Junior Pauga comes in on the wing. Maroons prop Lindsay Collins will back up. Kiwi Test hooker Brandon Smith returns from a thumb injury, while fellow hooker Jake Turpin and forward Egan Butcher are back on deck after suffering head knocks.

Storm: No late changes, with Maroons stars Harry Grant, Xavier Coates and Cameron Munster all backing up 72 hours after Origin III. After serving his mandatory stand down through the bye week, Will Warbrick returns from a head knock. Bronson Garlick was replaced on the bench by Alec MacDonald on Friday. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
    Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
  • Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
    Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
  • Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
    Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
  • Centre for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
    Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
  • Winger for Roosters is number 21 Fetalaiga Pauga
    Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
  • Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
    Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
  • Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sandon Smith
    Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Forwards

  • Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
    Prop for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica
  • Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Jake Turpin
    Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
  • Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
    Prop for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Victor Radley
    2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Trent Loiero
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
    2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Nelson Asofa-Solomona 
  • Lock for Roosters is number 13 Nathan Brown
    Lock for Storm is number 13 Josh King

Interchange

  • Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Brandon Smith
    Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Egan Butcher
    Interchange for Storm is number 15 Tom Eisenhuth
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Siua Wong
    Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tariq Sims
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Naufahu Whyte
    Interchange for Storm is number 19 Alec MacDonald

Reserves

  • Replacement for Storm is number 18 Grant Anderson
  • Reserve for Roosters is number 18 Drew Hutchison

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Stat Attack 

  • This year the Roosters have made more tackles than any other side in the competition, at an average of 367 per game, compared to the Storm who average 339 per game.
  • The Storm have won in three of their four trips to venues in Sydney this season.
  • The Roosters have scored 138 points in their past three games at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
  • The Storm have won six of their past seven games against the Roosters.
  • Roosters centre Joseph Manu has scored four tries in his past three games.
  • Storm centres Justin Olam and Reimis Smith will play their 100th NRL games.
  • Roosters forward Nat Butcher has scored six tries in his past three games at the SCG

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the 

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.