The Storm look to have a top-four spot safely secured but they will have to adjust to life without superstar playmaker Jahrome Hughes for at least the next month.
After losing their No.7 early in the second half last Friday night the Storm dug deep to down the Roosters but they have stiff tests to come in the shape of the Broncos twice, the Panthers and Bulldogs.
The Eels will be no pushover this week as they return home full of confidence after a stunning upset over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
With Mitch Moses running hot in his return from injury and Zac Lomax in scintillating form the Eels claimed their biggest scalp of the season to jump two points clear of the battle for the dreaded wooden spoon.
Match: Eels v Storm
Round 22 -
home Team
Eels
15th Position
away Team
Storm
2nd Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Eels: Coach Jason Ryles goes with the same 17 that stunned the Broncos in Round 21. Back-rower Kelma Tuilagi has served his three-game suspension for a crusher tackle and will return through NSW Cup. Dylan Brown and Jordan Samrani remained in the squad when it was trimmed to 19 on Wednesday.
Storm: Fullback Ryan Papenhuyen is back after four games out with a calf injury while Cameron Munster (personal leave) also returns. Munster will partner Tyran Wishart in the halves with star No.7 Jahrome Hughes (shoulder) gone for at least a month. Papenhuyzen's return sees Nick Meaney move to the centres, Grant Anderson to the wing and Kane Bradley to 18th man. Tui Kamikamica will start at lock with Maroons back-rower Trent Loiero being rested. Jonah Pezet is the new face on the bench. No changes in Wednesday's 24-hour update.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Joash PapaliiFullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Zac LomaxWinger for Storm is number 2 Grant Anderson
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean RussellCentre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dean HawkinsFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Storm is number 7 Tyran Wishart
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 J'maine HopgoodProp for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley SmithHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Charlie Guymer2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Jack Williams2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
-
Lock for Eels is number 15 Luca MorettiLock for Storm is number 15 Ativalu Lisati
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 13 Dylan WalkerInterchange for Storm is number 13 Tui Kamikamica
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Tallyn Da SilvaInterchange for Storm is number 14 Jonah Pezet
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Matt DooreyInterchange for Storm is number 16 Bronson Garlick
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Sam TuivaitiInterchange for Storm is number 17 Joe Chan
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 18 Jordan SamraniReplacement for Storm is number 22 Lazarus Vaalepu
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels have lost all five games against top-four opposition this season.
- The Storm have won their last five games against the Eels.
- Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored five tries in four games against the Storm.
- Storm hooker Harry Grant has scored eight tries in his last six games against the Eels.
- Eels winger Zac Lomax has scored five tries in his last four games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
