Everything You Auto Know About Round 16

Author: melbournestorm.com.au
Timestamp: Wed 29 Jun 2022, 10:05 AM

Here's everything you need to know ahead of our Round 16 clash with the Manly Sea Eagles!

As players return from Representative Round, the Storm squad are keen to continue the historic rivalry between the Club and Manly at the icon Brookvale Oval.

Key Info

Where: 4 Pines Park (Brookvale Oval)

Gates: 5.15pm

Jersey Flegg: Sea Eagles v Victorian Thunderbolts: 5.30pm

NRL kick-off: 7.50pm

Team News

Storm

Hooker Brandon Smith is slated to reach a milestone 100 NRL and Storm games becoming the 40th Storm player to do so.

Chris Lewis has been selected in the starting back-row, replacing Felise Kaufusi who is unavailable. Five-eighth Cameron Munster (AC joint irritation) has been named in the No.6 jersey with a final decision on his fitness to be made closer to gameday with Jayden Nikorima on standby.

Both Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Tui Kamikamica have been named on the interchange bench, alongside Ryan Papenhuyzen who gets closer to playing his first NRL match since Round nine after being hit with knee and hamstring injuries, as well as a bout of COVID.

View our full team list and injury report.

Manly

Josh Aloiai suffered a concussion playing for Samoa on Saturday night and will be rested so Sean Keppie moves to the starting side and Taniela Paseka joins the bench. Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans have been named to back up from Origin as have Tongan reps Christian Tuipulotu and Tolutau Koula, Samoan pair Josh Schuster and Marty Taupau and Kiwi Kieran Foran. Ben Trbojevic is listed among the reserves as he nears a return from a shoulder injury.