The Roosters sit just one win outside the eight but confront the Storm twice as well as the Bulldogs and Manly in a tough run to the wire.
The boys from Bondi have played Melbourne 14 times since their epic 2019 grand final showdown with the Storm holding a commanding 11-3 advantage.
The Storm look to have another top-four finish at their mercy although a two-game ban for Nelson Asofa-Solomona and ongoing concerns over Ryan Papenhuyzen's calf are hiccups they could do without.
A rare home loss last weekend to Manly dropped the Storm from second to third but their points differential (+218) is far superior to the sides around them on the ladder.
Match: Roosters v Storm
Round 21 -
home Team
Roosters
10th Position
away Team
Storm
3rd Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Roosters: Sandon Smith and Sam Walker team up in the halves with Ethan King coming into the centres for his second NRL game in place of Billy Smith (concussion). Lock Victor Radley is sidelined with a shoulder injury so Siua Wong comes into the starting side in his return from a knee injury. No changes in Wednesday's 24-hour update with Tom Rodwell the 18th man.
Storm: Tyran Wishart will start at five-eighth with Cameron Munster being given personal leave for his father's funeral. Nelson Asofa-Solomona also misses the game due to suspension. Kane Bradley and Bronson Garlick are the new faces on the bench for Craig Bellamy. Star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen (calf) remains sidelined. No changes in Wednesday's 24-hour update.
Match: Roosters v Storm
Round 21 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Ethan KingCentre for Storm is number 2 Grant Anderson
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Robert ToiaCentre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Mark NawaqanitawaseWinger for Storm is number 17 Kane Bradley
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Sandon SmithFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Tyran Wishart
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu WhyteProp for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Connor WatsonHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Salesi Foketi2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
-
Lock for Roosters is number 17 Spencer LeniuLock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 13 Siua WongInterchange for Storm is number 4 Joe Chan
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Zach Dockar-ClayInterchange for Storm is number 14 Bronson Garlick
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Blake SteepInterchange for Storm is number 15 Ativalu Lisati
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Egan ButcherInterchange for Storm is number 16 Tui Kamikamica
Reserves
-
Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Tom RodwellReplacement for Storm is number 18 Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have lost five of their seven games at Allianz Stadium this season.
- The Storm have won 11 of their past 12 games against the Roosters.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored eight tries in his last seven games.
- Storm winger Xavier Coates will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has scored six tries in his last four games at Allianz Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
