Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL

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The Sydney Roosters go back to the future for their crucial clash with the Melbourne Storm.

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How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms

Sydney Roosters team news

Chad Townsend has been dropped after a poor showing against the Cronulla Sharks with Sandon Smith earning a recall, although Hugo Savala may return early from a wrist injury. Savala has been named in jersey No.22. Victor Radley is set to miss time with a shoulder injury. Suia Wong is his replacement at lock forward. Billy Smith (concussion) has been replaced in the centres by yougster Ethan King.

Squad: 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

Melbourne Storm team news

Tyran Wishart has been named at five-eighth, with Cameron Munster to miss the game due to his father’s funeral. Nelson Asofa-Solomona won’t play due to suspension. Kane Bradley and Bronson Garlick both come into the team on the interchange, while star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is still out with a calf injury.

Squad: 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

Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm prediction

The Sydney Roosters suffered a setback in their push for a finals berth when they fell 31-18 to the Cronulla Sharks in Round 20. They chose to go with Chad Townsend at halfback over Sandon Smith and while not being solely responsible for the loss, Townsend could not direct his current team successfully around the park against his old team.

The Melbourne Storm recorded a surprising 18-16 defeat at the hands of old sparring partners the Manly Sea Eagles in Round 20, suffering their first home loss since 2024. While it may not be the proverbial “loss they needed” before finals it will surely jolt Craig Bellamy’s charges swiftly back into action.

The Storm have won six straight matches against the Roosters, including three times in 2024 culminating with a 48-18 annihilation in the Preliminary Final. The Storm lead the overall series 32-19 however the state of play in Roosters home games is more even with Melbourne winning 13 of 24 matches played in Sydney.

With some big names missing again this week for the Storm in Munster and Papenhuyzen, the Roosters may see an opportunity to keep their finals hopes alive and jump back into the Top Eight.

The Storm rarely loses consecutive games in the Bellamy era and we think that trend continues in a close match.

Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm tip: Melbourne Storm to win