Storm v Wests Tigers: NAS returns via bench; Naden good to go
A buoyant Wests Tigers will travel south for a Sunday afternoon showdown with the Storm, however history suggests they face a difficult task in Melbourne.
The Tigers have lost their past seven games against the Storm and won just two from 15 in the Victorian capital but are full of confidence after back-to-back wins.
Jarome Luai will have another chance to press his NSW State of Origin claims while Terrell May will look to set the tone up front and continue a rampaging start to the year.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has called for an immediate response following his side's golden point loss to the Raiders in the final game of Magic Round.
Dally M winner Jahrome Hughes will look to steady the ship with a calm and composed performance, with fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is eager to produce an electrifying outing against his junior club.
Match: Storm v Wests Tigers
Round 10 -
home Team
Storm
3rd Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
10th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Team News
Storm: In a late game-day change, Nelson Asofa-Solomona comes onto the bench for Lazarus Vaalepu his first NRL game since Round 3, with Kane Bradley the new 18th player. Earlier, coach Craig Bellamy had named the same 17 that went down to the Raiders in golden point. Hooker Harry Grant remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Wests Tigers: There is one late change to the side named on Tuesday for the Tigers with Tony Sukkar joining the interchange bench. Jack Bird is the 18th player reserve. Earlier in the week, coach Benji Marshall had named the same side that has beaten the Sharks and Dragons in consecutive weeks. Brent Naden has been named in the centres despite leaving the field with a knee injury at Magic Round.
Match: Storm v Wests Tigers
Round 10 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan PapenhuyzenFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Sualauvi FaalogoWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Grant AndersonCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Adam Doueihi
-
Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick MeaneyCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Brent Naden
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie Staines
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jarome Luai
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Bronson GarlickHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Alex Seyfarth
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran WishartInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tallyn Da Silva
-
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Royce Hunt
-
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Joe ChanInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Sione Fainu
-
Interchange for Storm is number 22 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Tony Sukkar
Reserves
-
Replacement for Storm is number 20 Kane BradleyReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 16 Jack Bird
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have won their last seven games against the Tigers.
- Wests Tigers have won only two from 15 in Melbourne.
- Storm centre Nick Meaney has scored six tries in his last seven games against the Tigers.
- Tigers winger Sunia Turuva has scored nine tries in his last eight games.
- Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored 35 tries in 31 games at AAMI Park.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
