NRL 2023, Roosters v Storm, match preview, team lists, analysis, statistics

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 15 Jul 2023, 06:35 PM

Wins over the Storm have been few and far between for the Roosters lately, but the Tricolours will be looking at this week’s clash against Melbourne as a chance to launch their late-season revival in 2023.

Having enjoyed their last bye round of the season last week, the Roosters now have two months to try and get back on track in what has been an up-and-down campaign to date, with just seven wins from 16 games.

The Storm too head into Round 20 fresh off a bye, with Saturday’s trip to the Sydney Cricket Ground kicking off a four-game stretch in which they play at home just once.

Prior to giving up 34 at the hands of Penrith in Round 18, the Storm had been on a three-game run which had seen them concede just 7.3 points per game on average.

The Roosters have beaten Melbourne just once since 2019, getting over the Storm in this corresponding fixture in Sydney last year.

This week is their first visit to the venue this year, but last season the Roosters won five of nine at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Roosters v Storm

Team News

Roosters: With captain James Tedesco rested after leading NSW to victory in Origin III, Joey Manu moves to fullback, Joseph Suaalii to centre and Junior Pauga comes in on the wing. Maroons prop Lindsay Collins will back up. Kiwi Test hooker Brandon Smith returns from a thumb injury, while fellow hooker Jake Turpin and forward Egan Butcher are back on deck after suffering head knocks.

Storm: No late changes, with Maroons stars Harry Grant, Xavier Coates and Cameron Munster all backing up 72 hours after Origin III. After serving his mandatory stand down through the bye week, Will Warbrick returns from a head knock. Bronson Garlick was replaced on the bench by Alec MacDonald on Friday.

Round 20 - Round 20 - Saturday 15 Jul

Full Time

Roosters

Storm

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou

Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith

Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
Centre for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii

Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
Winger for Roosters is number 21 Fetalaiga Pauga

Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary

Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sandon Smith

Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Forwards

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Prop for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Jake Turpin

Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins

Prop for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Victor Radley

2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Trent Loiero
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher

2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Nathan Brown

Lock for Storm is number 13 Josh King

Interchange

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Brandon Smith

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Egan Butcher

Interchange for Storm is number 15 Tom Eisenhuth
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Siua Wong

Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tariq Sims
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Naufahu Whyte

Interchange for Storm is number 19 Alec MacDonald

Reserves

Replacement for Storm is number 18 Grant Anderson
Reserve for Roosters is number 18 Drew Hutchison

Match Officials

Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:44 AM

Stat Attack

This year the Roosters have made more tackles than any other side in the competition, at an average of 367 per game, compared to the Storm who average 339 per game.
The Storm have won in three of their four trips to venues in Sydney this season.
The Roosters have scored 138 points in their past three games at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The Storm have won six of their past seven games against the Roosters.
Roosters centre Joseph Manu has scored four tries in his past three games.
Storm centres Justin Olam and Reimis Smith will play their 100th NRL games.
Roosters forward Nat Butcher has scored six tries in his past three games at the SCG