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Storm v Roosters: Bellamy rests stars; Savala-Smith combine

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94ddz.com
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The Roosters will be out to regroup quickly when they travel to the Storm's AAMI Park fortress for a season-defining clash on Friday night.

After stringing together three wins on the trot to climb into the top eight the Roosters were ambushed by the Eels last weekend but they retained their position due to the Dolphins' loss to Manly.

The loss of Sam Walker to concussion will make the task that much tougher for the Roosters, who have won just four of 14 at AAMI Park and haven't beaten the Storm since Round 24, 2022.

The Storm are locked and loaded for yet another top-four finish and can still claim the minor premiership if they win their last two games and Canberra loses to either Wests Tigers or the Dolphins.

With star halfback Jahrome Hughes on track to return in Round 27 and Will Warbrick back on deck in Queensland Cup last weekend the Storm are well placed to go one better in 2025 after losing last year's decider to the Panthers.

Team News

Storm: Bronson Garlick takes over at hooker for the suspended Harry Grant while Ativalu Liseti joins the bench in place of Tui Kamikamica (concussion). With Xavier Coates, Nick Meaney, Eli Katoa and Josh King being rested, Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown and Kane Bradley are the new wingers and Grant Anderson moves to centre. Alec MacDonald starts at prop, Shawn Blore returns from an ankle injury in the back row and Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been added to the bench. Kiwi winger Will Warbrick is listed among the reserves after making a successful return to the paddock in Qld Cup last weekend. Warbrick hasn't played since suffering a concussion in Round 4. 

Roosters: Hugo Savala moves to halfback and Sandon Smith is the new No.6 with Sam Walker sidelined by concussion. Veteran winger Daniel Tupou returns after missing Round 25 with concussion. No changes in the forward pack for the Roosters as they look to solidify eighth spot with a win in Melbourne.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
    Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
  • Winger for Storm is number 2 Kane Bradley
    Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
  • Centre for Storm is number 3 Marion Seve
    Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
  • Centre for Storm is number 4 Grant Anderson
    Centre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia
  • Winger for Storm is number 20 Will Warbrick
    Winger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase
  • Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
    Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Sandon Smith
  • Halfback for Storm is number 7 Tyran Wishart
    Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Hugo Savala

Forwards

  • Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
    Prop for Roosters is number 8 Spencer Leniu
  • Hooker for Storm is number 9 Bronson Garlick
    Hooker for Roosters is number 14 Benaiah Ioelu
  • Prop for Storm is number 17 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
    Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Joe Chan
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Victor Radley
  • Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
    Lock for Roosters is number 13 Naufahu Whyte

Interchange

  • Interchange for Storm is number 10 Alec MacDonald
    Interchange for Roosters is number 9 Connor Watson
  • Interchange for Storm is number 14 Jonah Pezet
    Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Egan Butcher
  • Interchange for Storm is number 15 Ativalu Lisati
    Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Siua Wong
  • Interchange for Storm is number 16 Lazarus Vaalepu
    Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Blake Steep

Reserves

  • Replacement for Storm is number 5 Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown
    Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Ethan King

Match Officials

  • Referee: Todd Smith
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
  • Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Storm have won their last seven games against the Roosters.
  • The Roosters have lost five of their last six games at AAMI Park.
  • Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored eight tries in his last six games against the Roosters.
  • Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored six tries in his last five games against the Storm.
  • Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy will become the fourth coach to reach the milestone of 600 NRL games.

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

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