NSW Cup Team Announcement: Round 1 v Eels

Author: melbournestorm.com.au
Timestamp: Tue 3 Mar 2026, 04:16 PM

Mark Russell has named his inaugural NSW Cup squad for Thursday’s season opener against the Parramatta Eels at AAMI Park.

Thursday night marks a significant milestone for Storm, with the club fielding a team in the NSW Cup for the first time.

Raiders recruit Manaia Waitere will start at fullback, lining up in the purple jersey for the first time. He is joined in the backline by Victorian product Hugo Peel, along with Luke Cesari and Mitch Jennings.

Eli Morris and storm Junior Trent Toelau who has returned home for season 2026 will start on the halves.

The forward pack features Lazarus Vaalepu, who has played 11 NRL matches.

The NSW Cup side will serve as the curtain-raiser to the NRL clash, kicking off at AAMI Park at 5:15pm.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Thursday 5 Mar

Full Time

Storm

Eels

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Manaia Waitere

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Bradley Avery
Winger for Storm is number 2 Luke Cesari

Winger for Eels is number 2 Jake Tago
Centre for Storm is number 3 Liam Williams

Centre for Eels is number 3 Araz Nanva
Centre for Storm is number 4 Mitchell Jennings

Centre for Eels is number 4 Richard Penisini
Winger for Storm is number 5 Hugo Peel

Winger for Eels is number 5 Jordan Samrani
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Eli Morris

Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Lorenzo Talataina
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Trent Toelau

Halfback for Eels is number 7 Te Hurinui Twidle

Forwards

Prop for Storm is number 8 K-CI Newton-Whare

Prop for Eels is number 8 Luca Moretti
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Alan Holten

Hooker for Eels is number 9 Meni Luke
Prop for Storm is number 10 Lazarus Vaalepu

Prop for Eels is number 10 Teancum Brown
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Philip Telea

2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Jezaiah Funa-Iuta
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Amare Milford

2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Will Latu
Lock for Storm is number 13 Angus Hinchey

Lock for Eels is number 13 Charlie Guymer

Interchange

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Blake Kehl

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Kruz Niutili-Schmidt
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Zayvian Langkilde-Fale

Interchange for Eels is number 15 Toni Mataele
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Nicholas Stonestreet

Interchange for Eels is number 16 Tyrese Lokeni
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Talas Abell

Interchange for Eels is number 17 Saxon Pryke