2020 NRL – Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters taking place? Thursday 2nd July, 2020 – 10:50 (UK)
Where is Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters taking place? Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
What is the expected weather for Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters? 15c, clear skies
What channel is Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
Where can I get tickets for Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters? Click here for ticket information on 2020 NRL matches
THE TEAM NEWS
MELBOURNE STORM
Starting 13: Papenhuyzen, Vunivalu, Olam, Momirovski, Addo-Carr, Jacks, Hughes, J. Bromwich, C. Smith, Welch, Kaufusi, K. Bromwich, Finucane – Interchanges: B. Smith, Faasuamaleaui, Eisenhuth, Asofa-Solomona – Reserves: Seve, Vete
Unavailable: Tui Kamikamica (Injured), Sandor Earl (Injured), Brenko Lee (Injured), Cameron Munster (Injured)
- Melbourne Storm weathered an early spell of pressure as they cut loose against New Zealand Warriors to rack up 50 points in the one-sided victory but they will face a much sterner examination here as they come up against reigning premiers Sydney Roosters.
- The Storm ran in nine tries with Fijian winger Suliasi Vunivalu accounting for three of those as Melbourne’s ability to break the Warriors’ line proved too much to handle, although the Storm did make 11 errors which is a number they will need to reduce this week.
- Last week’s huge win came at a big cost for the Storm as Cameron Munster picked up an early injury and his knee issue is sufficient enough to rule him out of this contest with Ryley Jacks named at five-eighth in his place.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Starting 13: Tedesco, Tupou, J. Morris, Manu, B. Morris, Keary, Flanagan, Waerea-Hargreaves, Friend, Taukeiaho, Cordner, Crichton, Butcher – Interchanges: Faamausili, Tupouinua, Aubusson, Collins – Reserves: Hall, Lam
Unavailable: Billy Smith (Injured), Victor Radley (Injured), Sam Verrills (Injured), Isaac Liu (Injured)
- Sydney Roosters had to do it tough as they highlighted their Premiership credentials once again with a hard-fought victory over St. George Illawarra Dragons last week as they overcame some major injury strife during that game.
- Victory Radley and Sam Verrills both went off with ACL injuries in the first half but that did not deter the Roosters as their class told to grind out a 26-12 success and despite seeing just 46% of the ball, the Tricolours made over 400 metres more than their opponents.
- Radley and Verrills will now sit out for the rest of the season while Isaac Liu is also absent after picking up a knock last week but James Tedesco and Josh Morris are back after sitting out with injuries against the Dragons while Poasa Faamausili is named on the bench after his loan deal with New Zealand Warriors was cut short.
THE PREDICTION
This is a tantalising fixture to kick-off Round 8 with Melbourne Storm squaring off with rivals Sydney Roosters. Both teams won their matches last week with the Roosters extending their winning streak to five matches while the Storm reclaimed their spot in the top four thanks to their success. The pair suffered major injury blows last week but the return of James Tedesco is crucial for the Roosters and they should be able to make it six wins in a row in what would be a huge statement to the rest of the competition.
