Matchday Details
Thursday, 24 July – 7:50pm (AEST) – Allianz Stadium, Sydney
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Adam Gee | Bunker: Chris Butler
Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Ethan King 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Salesi Foketi 13. Siua Wong 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Blake Steep 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Tom Rodwell 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Makahesi Makatoa 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. Hugo Savala
Storm
1. Nick Meaney 2. Grant Anderson 3. Jack Howarth 4. Joe Chan 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Ativalu Lisati 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Kane Bradley 18. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 19. Josiah Pahulu 20. Jonah Pezet 21. Coby Williamson 22. Lazarus Vaalepu
Match Preview
Round 21 of the season kicks off on Thursday night at Allianz Stadium, with the Roosters hosting the Storm. The Roosters are coming off a 31-18 loss to the Sharks, while the Storm suffered a rare defeat at home, going down the Sea Eagles 18-16 in controversial circumstances.
The Roosters are in 10th and fighting to remain in touch with the top eight, while the Storm currently sit in third, looking to move back into the top two. While they are yet to play each other this year, the recent head-to-head record is dominated by the Storm. They’ve won 11 of the past 12 matchups between the two sides.
For the Roosters, coach Trent Robinson has made a host of changes. Sandon Smith returns at five-eighth in place of Chad Townsend, with Hugo Savala still in the reserves as he looks to overcome a wrist injury. Ethan King is named at centre, replacing Billy Smith who is out with concussion. Siua Wong makes a timely return at lock, with Victor Radley out due to a shoulder injury.
The story of this one for the Roosters will be the combination of Sam Walker and Sandon Smith in the halves and whether they can find their way through a stingy Storm defence. Since Walker has returned, the attack has leaned towards the left edge. They’ve targeted Daniel Tupou with the high ball frequently and will look to do the same this week. The Storm have named Grant Anderson on the wing to oppose him, but the height and leap advantage goes to Tupou. Their forward pack will need to be at its best and will be expecting a bounce back from the Storm forward pack that was beaten at home last week.
For the Storm, Cameron Munster has been given time off to attend his father’s funeral and will miss the game. Tyran Wishart replaces him at five-eighth. Nelson Asofa-Solomona is out after copping a two-game suspension last week. He’s replaced on the bench by Bronson Garlick, with Kane Bradley rounding out the bench in jersey 17. They are otherwise unchanged, with Ryan Papenhuyzen still sidelined with a calf injury.
The loss of Munster for this game is a big blow, but with Wishart stepping up, the Storm system will continue to roll. Despite missing spine members like Munster, Harry Grant, and Ryan Papenhuyzen at various stages, the one constant has been Jahrome Hughes. He’s finding form at the right time and his combination with Eliesa Katoa is lethal. Look for those two to target Walker on the Roosters left edge. The match-up on the left wing between Xavier Coates and Mark Nawaqanitawase is worth the price of admission alone. The two high-flying wingers will go head-to-head, with Coates playing his 100th NRL game, and Nawaqanitawase looking to extend his try scoring streak at Allianz Stadium. He’s scored six tries from his last four games there.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Storm by 6.
See our full Round 21 Predictions (live Wednesday 12pm) here: 2025 NRL Tipping: Round 21 Writer Predictions
Have your say: Who wins? Drop your tip in the comments or vote in our poll.
Related Links
Follow Us on Facebook
