NRL 2024, Sportsbet preview, Round 20, Melbourne Storm v Sydney Roosters

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 20 Jul 2024, 06:41 PM

The Roosters are out to keep their minor premiership hopes alive when they travel south to face the Storm on Saturday night.

Melbourne are currently four points clear of the second-placed Panthers, with the Tricolours two points further back in third.

The Storm claimed a gritty victory over the Roosters when the two sides faced off in Sydney in Round 7, Xavier Coates the difference as they prevailed 18-12.

Trent Robinson's men have found their groove with ball in hand since that loss and they now boast the most potent attack in the competition.

The Roosters won four matches in a row before last weekend's bye, scoring 136 points in the process.

The trip to Melbourne will pose a new challenge, with the Storm losing just one game at home this season and riding a five-game winning streak of their own. Like the Roosters, they enjoyed a week off in Round 19.

Coach Craig Bellamy hopes to welcome back Harry Grant after Wednesday night's State of Origin decider while Nick Meaney is back from a calf injury.

The Roosters are also hoping their Origin players get through the game smoothly, with Lindsay Collins, Spencer Leniu, Connor Watson and Angus Crichton featuring in the match at Suncorp Stadium.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Storm v Roosters

Team News

Storm: Prop Christian Welch dropped out on Saturday due to a back complaint. Lazarus Vaalepu has been added to the bench and will make his NRL debut. The loss of Welch came on top of Nelson Asofa-Solomona being ruled out on Friday, which saw Joe Chan elevated to the bench. Harry Grant is set to back up after Wednesday's Origin decider. The hooker's load has been managed as he's nursed a sternum injury and he has not played for the Storm since Round 15. Centre Nick Meaney is also set to return from a calf injury. Chris Lewis is 18th man.

Roosters: A late change an hour before kick-off with Naufahu Whyte to start the game and Maroons prop Lindsay Collins going to the bench. Centre Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i will make his return from a four-game suspension for a high tackle in the Origin opener. Enforcer Victor Radley is also back from a concussion while Origin reps Angus Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Connor Watson will all back up. Ethan King is 18th man.

Round 20 - Round 20 - Saturday 20 Jul

Full Time

Storm

Roosters

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick

Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth

Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i
Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney

Centre for Roosters is number 4 Sitili Tupouniua
Winger for Storm is number 5 Grant Anderson

Winger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic Young
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Tyran Wishart

Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker

Forwards

Prop for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Terrell May
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant

Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh King

Prop for Roosters is number 17 Naufahu Whyte
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore

2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa

2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Victor Radley
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero

Lock for Roosters is number 13 Connor Watson

Interchange

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Sualauvi Faalogo

Interchange for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Sandon Smith
Interchange for Storm is number 19 Joe Chan

Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Spencer Leniu
Interchange for Storm is number 22 Lazarus Vaalepu

Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher