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.
Match: Storm v Rabbitohs
Round 4 -
Home Team
Storm
Away Team
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.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan PapenhuyzenFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
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Winger for Storm is number 2 Suliasi VunivaluWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Storm is number 3 Justin OlamCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Campbell Graham
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Centre for Storm is number 18 Brenko LeeCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Braidon Burns
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Winger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Alex Johnston
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Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Troy Dargan
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Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam Reynolds
Forwards
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Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse BromwichProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
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Hooker for Storm is number 9 Cameron SmithHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
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Prop for Storm is number 14 Brandon SmithProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
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2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Jaydn Su'A
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2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Cameron Murray
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Lock for Storm is number 13 Dale FinucaneLock for Rabbitohs is number 15 Ethan Lowe
Interchange
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Interchange for Storm is number 10 Christian WelchInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 13 Liam Knight
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Interchange for Storm is number 15 Tino Fa'asuamaleauiInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Mark Nicholls
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Interchange for Storm is number 17 Max KingInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Tom Amone
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Interchange for Storm is number 21 Chris LewisInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 21 Keaon Koloamatangi
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Video Referee: Bryan Norrie
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
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.
