Storm v Raiders: Howarth, Wishart return; Origin duo named
Back at home after their first bye of the season, the Storm will be looking to build in their recent run of winning form when they host the Raiders.
In their last match in Round 13, the Storm held on against the Knights in an important and hard-fought win. If they are to keep their impressive consecutive finals record intact, they will need to keep working on their basics and be switched on to any second-half fightbacks.
The Raiders however are fighting to emerge from a form slump of their own where they have lost four their past five matches.
Last week – while they were missing some key personnel like Hudson Young and Ethan Strange to Origin duty – there was no excuse for their poor outing against the Eels, who just showed they wanted the win more.
With a tough away battle against a resurgent Melbourne, the match will be a good opportunity for Ricky Stuart’s men to show more mettle.
The Storm will also be highlighting the importance of mental wellbeing, hosting their first Mental Health game, with ambassadors Josh King, Alec MacDonald and Will Warbrick speaking about the importance to speaking up and reaching out to mates.
*After the excitement of Origin at the MCG, the rugby league action continues in Melbourne when the Storm host the Raiders on Sunday afternoon. Kids tickets are available from $8, click here to secure your seats today.
Match: Storm v Raiders
Round 16 -
home Team
Storm
11th Position
away Team
Raiders
16th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Team News
Storm: One major change on gameday, with Queensland star Harry Grant shifting to the interchange. Trent Toelau will start at hooker in his place. Fellow Origin stars Cameron Munster and Trent Loiero have been cleared to start. Jack Howarth (quad) and Tyran Wishart (ankle) will make their returns from injury in a major boost for the Storm. One other minor change in the 90-minute update, Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown replacing Josiah Pahulu on the six-man bench.
Raiders: Canberra have also changed their hooker on gameday, Owen Pattie coming into the starting side in jumper No.14. Tom Starling reverts to the bench as a result. Blues duo Ethan Strange and Hudson Young will take their places in the Raiders team after pulling up okay from Wednesday's match. Ricky Stuart receives a big boost with Savelio Tamale on track to return from a concussion suffered a fortnight ago.
Match: Storm v Raiders
Round 16 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi FaalogoFullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will WarbrickWinger for Raiders is number 2 Savelio Tamale
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack HowarthCentre for Raiders is number 3 Sebastian Kris
-
Centre for Storm is number 4 Joe ChanCentre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Moses LeoWinger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Ethan Sanders
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Raiders is number 8 Corey Horsburgh
-
Hooker for Storm is number 14 Trent ToelauHooker for Raiders is number 14 Owen Pattie
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Cooper Clarke2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Ativalu Lisati2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Zac Hosking
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Raiders is number 13 Jayden Brailey
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantInterchange for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling
-
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Ata Mariota
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Jack HetheringtonInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Morgan Smithies
-
Interchange for Storm is number 18 Shawn BloreInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Daine Laurie
Reserves
-
Reserve for Storm is number 19 Tyran WishartReserve for Raiders is number 18 Jed Stuart
-
Reserve for Storm is number 22 Siulagi Tuimalatu-BrownReserve for Raiders is number 19 Vena Patuki-Case
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have scored 94 points in three successive wins at AAMI Park.
- The Raiders have won five of their last seven games at AAMI Park.
- Storm winger Will Warbrick has scored seven tries in his last nine games at AAMI Park.
- Ricky Stuart will bring up 800 games as player (243 games) and coach (557 games).
- Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster is expected to make his 250th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
