Eels v Storm: Blake out; Storm unchanged
They achieved their week one wins in contrasting fashions, but the Eels and Storm head into this meeting seeking a two-from-two start to 2021.
Melbourne blitzed South Sydney early before winning 26-18 while the Eels turned a 16-0 deficit against Brisbane into a 24-16 win.
Melbourne's attack was superb in the early stages in round one, with Ryan Papenhuyzen and Cameron Munster both starring.
The fact the Eels were able to turn a poor first 40 minutes into a win will give Brad Arthur and his players some confidence.
In saying that, a slow start against Melbourne rarely ends in anything other than defeat.
Eels v Storm
Match: Eels v Storm
Round 2 -
home Team
Eels
5th Position
away Team
Storm
9th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
The rundown
Team news
Eels: Waqa Blake is out for the Eels with Marata Niukore (No.17) to start in the centres. Keegan Hipgrave also moves from the reserves list onto the interchange bench. Blake and Haze Dunster were the two players left out 60 minutes before kick-off.
Ray Stone has recovered from a knee injury and will play NSW Cup for Wentworthville after being cut from Brad Arthur's 21-man squad on Wednesday along with Joey Lussick.
The Eels have lost five of their past six games against the Storm.
Storm: Craig Bellamy's side will start 1-17 after Nicho Hynes and Darryn Schonig were the two players left out an hour before kick-off.
Premiership-winning centre Brenko Lee remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Harry Grant (knee) and Dale Finucane (calf) are still a few weeks away. Co-captain Jesse Bromwich will make his 250th NRL appearance.
Cooper Johns and Dean Ieremia were cut from the squad 24 hours before kick-off.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for Storm is number 2 George Jennings
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Tom OpacicCentre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
-
Centre for Eels is number 17 Marata NiukoreCentre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Blake FergusonWinger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan BrownFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Storm is number 9 Brandon Smith
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Ryan Matterson2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 Nathan BrownLock for Storm is number 13 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Oregon KaufusiInterchange for Storm is number 14 Tyson Smoothy
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Isaiah Papali'iInterchange for Storm is number 15 Tui Kamikamica
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Will SmithInterchange for Storm is number 16 Tom Eisenhuth
-
Interchange for Eels is number 18 Keegan HipgraveInterchange for Storm is number 17 Chris Lewis
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
Last updated:
Key match-up
Mitchell Moses v Jahrome Hughes: Despite being a Test player, Hughes still doesn't earn the plaudits he deserves. His battle with Moses will be important as the Eels will rely heavily on both his individual skills and organisational qualities.
Stat attack
Parramatta made 15 errors in their win over Brisbane. If they can't get that down into single figures, the extra sets they'll give the Storm are likely to prove to big of a hurdle to overcome.
What will be the result in this Telstra Premiership clash?
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