Round 14: Roosters v Storm preview
The Sydney Roosters host the in form Melbourne Storm in a blockbuster Thursday night clash at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground.
The Roosters will be out for revenge after their golden point loss to the Storm earlier in the season at Suncorp, which ended the defending premiers brilliant start to the resumption of the 2020 season. Coach Trent Robinson will have mixed emotions regarding his side's performances over the past month, with three wins by eight points or less against the Warriors, Titans and Dragons and a four point loss to the Raiders.
Although, throughout the past three weeks, the Roosters have been without star talent in Daniel Tupou, Brett Morris, Josh Morris, Boyd Cordner and Angus Crichton who have all been battling injuries.
Due to their form, the Tricolours have gone a bit unnoticed over the past few weeks with the form of fellow premiership contenders in Penrith, and their opponents the Storm being the talk of the town.
One of the aforementioned Morris brothers, Josh, will return this weekend in the centres pushing Mitch Aubusson to the second row, Nat Butcher to the bench and Max Bailey out of the side.
The Storm are coming hot off a 31 point demolition of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, which was unfortunately over shadowed by an injury to star five-eighth Cameron Munster. The three time premiers have now won eight of their past 10 matches which includes a current seven game winning streak, the second longest current streak of such in the competition.
A tough task looms ahead for Craig Bellamy's side who will be without both Cameron Smith and Cameron Munster as they recover from their respective injuries, the first time Bellamy has fielded a side without both players since Round 18, 2017. It'll be up to the Storm's young core of Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jahrome Hughes and Brandon Smith to guide the away side to victory at the hallowed turf of the Sydney Cricket Ground. Despite the loss of Munster, who is replaced by Ryley Jacks, the young fullback Papenhuyzen and Origin lock Dale Finucane return into the starting 13 after being rested, pushing Tino Faasuamaleaui and Nicho Hynes to the Bench with Chris Lewis dropping out of the 17.
Last meeting: Round 8 2020 - Storm 27 Roosters 25
Who to watch: We've got a mouth-watering fullback match up on our hands this weekend, firstly, with the reigning Dally M medallist, James Tedesco. Having another superb season and establishing himself as one of the great fullbacks of the modern era, the 27-year-old is averaging a monster 235 run metres per game, astonishingly 30 more per game than his Dally M year. He's also responsible for setting up seven tries himself and as expected, has broken the line on six occasions. The only blight on his season is that he hasn't scored a try in seven games - but expect this to change very soon.
Fellow Wests Tigers junior Ryan Papenhuyzen has been a revelation since becoming the permanent fullback for Melbourne last season. The 22-year-old has averaged just shy of 200 run metres per game in just his second season in the top grade. Scoring six tries this season, including three in his last four outings, 'Paps' has provided four try assists and has eight line breaks to his name. He is in terrific form at the moment averaging 223 run metres per game in his last four games, while also averaging 5 and a half tackle breaks per game. This one could well and truly come down to which fullback is able to create opportunities for his team. It's going to be a belter.
The favourite: The Roosters enter this clash as favourites, mainly due to the unavailability of the two Cameron's. It won't be an easy game for either side as the Storm are still a very well drilled side and still have the majority of their team available for selection.
My tip: The past eight games between these two are split at four a piece. Despite Melbourne's outs, I still anticipate this to be a close one but the premiers should benefit from having key players available. Roosters by 4.
Sydney Roosters Form Guide
