Josh Mercer previews the blockbuster clash between the Sydney Roosters and the Melbourne Storm. This is what we have to look forward to.
FORM LINE
Sydney Roosters
The Roosters were able to come away from WIN Stadium with a win last Thursday night, but they had to do it the hard way and without stars such the Morris twins and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. The Roosters raced out to an early 10-0 lead, but the Dragons were able to draw level going into halftime and make Roosters fans nervous. Luke Keary stood when his needed too and the Roosters were able to finish the game with an eight-point win.
Melbourne Storm
The Storm ran out big winners against the Bulldogs last Saturday; however the win came at a cost, with Cameron Munster injuring his knee. The Storm made it look easy at times, with wingers Josh Addo-Carr and Suliasi Vunivalu scoring long-range tries when nothing was happening.
SQUAD NEWS
Sydney Roosters
Josh Morris comes back into the side while Kyle Flanagan will have to sit out another week.
1. James Tedesco 2. Ryan Hall 3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Luke Keary 7. Lachlan Lam 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Jake Friend 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Sitili Tupouniua 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Isaac Liu 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Poasa Faamausili 16. Nat Butcher 17. Daniel Fifita 18. Egan Butcher 19. Christian Tuipulotu 20. Max Bailey 21. Kyle Flanagan.
Melbourne Storm
The Storm will be without Cameron Munster but Ryan Papenhuyzen returns to the number one jersey and Nicho Hynes moves to the bench.
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Tom Eisenhuth 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ryley Jacks 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane 14. Nicholas Hynes 15. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 16. Albert Vete 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 18. Sandor Earl 19. Chris Lewis 20. Cooper Johns 21. Brenko Lee.
KEY STAT
The highest winning margin in the last six games between these two sides has been eight points.
BATTLE TO WATCH
The forward battle between Siosiua Taukeiaho and Lindsay Collins against Christian Welch and Jesse Bromwich will be one of the clashes to look forward to in this game. Collins makes the most of his starting appearances when given the chance; though mistakes can creep into his game, he will need to make sure that doesn’t happen against Welch and Bromwich. Taukeiaho played well last week, running for 288 metres and making 37 tackles; kicking duties will again fall on him this week, so he needs to be ready for a long night against the Storm’s front-row duo.
GAME DETAILS
Roosters by four.
Date: Thursday, August 13
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
Kick-off: 7:50pm
