Storm v Rabbitohs: NAS suspended; Roberts unlikely

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Fri 5 Jun 2020, 07:07 PM

After disappointing losses, Melbourne and South Sydney each have a point to prove in this heavyweight duel.

The Storm, who were soundly beaten by the Raiders in round three, have conceded they need to tweak their structure to suit the ad-lib nature of the game due to the new six-again rule.

The Rabbitohs, on the other hand, were outclassed by the Roosters - marking consecutive defeats - and need to build momentum.

Round 4 - Round 4 - Friday 5 Jun

Full Time

Storm

Rabbitohs

Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne

The Rundown

Team News

Storm: Marion Seve is out of the Storm team, with Brenko Lee (No.18) to start in the centres. In a change in the forwards, Brandon Smith (No.14) will start the match, with Christian Welch dropping back to the bench. Seve and Darryn Schonig were the two players left out an hour before kick-off. Nelson Asofa-Solomona is suspended.

Rabbitohs: The final squad announcement from the Rabbitohs confirmed that Liam Knight is out of the starting side, with Ethan Lowe (No.15) moving into the run-on team. Keaon Koloamatangi will make his NRL debut from the interchange bench. Bayley Sironen and Bryson Goodwin were the last players left out of the squad an hour before kick-off.

Round 4 - Round 4 - Friday 5 Jun

Full Time

Storm

Rabbitohs

Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen

Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
Winger for Storm is number 2 Suliasi Vunivalu

Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Dane Gagai
Centre for Storm is number 3 Justin Olam

Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Campbell Graham
Centre for Storm is number 18 Brenko Lee

Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Braidon Burns
Winger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr

Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Alex Johnston
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster

Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Troy Dargan
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Forwards

Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Cameron Smith

Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
Prop for Storm is number 14 Brandon Smith

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi

2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Jaydn Su'A
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich

2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Cameron Murray
Lock for Storm is number 13 Dale Finucane

Lock for Rabbitohs is number 15 Ethan Lowe

Interchange

Interchange for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 13 Liam Knight
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Tino Faasuamaleaui

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Mark Nicholls
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Max King

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Tom Amone
Interchange for Storm is number 21 Chris Lewis

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 21 Keaon Koloamatangi

Key Match-Up

It's always intriguing when Damien Cook and Cameron Smith, the current and former Australian Test hookers, lock horns. But even more so this time given the new six-again rule and its impact on dummy-half play. One would expect the quick ruck speed to suit the dynamic Cook more than Smith, but the all-time legend has the nous and experience to exploit it too.