Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm: NRL live scores, blog

	79	R. Papenhuyzen
	78	J. Olam
	77	R. Papenhuyzen
	77	R. Papenhuyzen
	74	N. Asofa-Solomona
D. Cherry-Evans	64
D. Cherry-Evans	58
T. Koula	57
	53	N. Meaney
	53	B. Smith
D. Cherry-Evans	52
H. Olakau'atu	51
M. Harper	48
J. Saab	39
C. Tuipulotu	23
D. Cherry-Evans	22
J. Saab	20
	14	N. Meaney
	13	N. Meaney
T. Koula	7

7	Tries	6
3	Conversions	3
1	Penalty Goals	0
0	Field Goals	0

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After a week of representative rugby league spanning from Auckland to Perth via Western Sydney, the NRL resumes as rivals Manly Sea Eagles and the Melbourne Storm face off at 4 Pines Park to kick off round 16. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7.50pm AEST.

Despite suffering a shoulder complaint, Cameron Munster has surprisingly been named to don the #6 for the Storm. However, Jaiden Nikorima has been named on the bench and is likely to pair alongside Jahrohme Hughes in the halves should Munster’s inclusion in the side be nothing but mind games by Storm coach Craig Bellamy. Ryan Papenhuyzen may be a late inclusion into the Storm team as the superstar fullback is set to return from injury and Covid-19. Felise Kaufusi will miss the clash for personal reasons, which paves the way for Chris Lewis to shift into the second row.

Manly will be hurting a lot after their 28-26 loss to the Cowboys after leading by 14 points with ease at one stage. What better way to show off a response than beating a rival in front of 20,000 Manly fans? The weather is forecasted with rain in Manly throughout Thursday, however rain is unlikely during the clash. Despite a relatively clear forecast during the game, Manly halves Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans will have to adapt their kicking game on a wet surface and focus on set completion rates over magical plays. Josh Aloai will miss the game due to an injury suffered during rep round, however Manly are at their strongest team post Tom Trbojevic’s injury.

Prediction

The last time Manly hosted the Storm in the NRL was in the same month Australia plunged into lockdown in 2020. So much has changed, but the Storm’s dominance over Manly has not as Manly haven’t beaten the Storm in their last six clashes. Despite a question mark on Cameron Munster’s fitness, the Storm start favourites with a strong unit across their backs and forwards. Winning on a wet night in Manly will be a confidence booster for both teams, but the Storm should get over the line.

Storm by 4+

Game information

Kick-off: 7:50pm AEST
Venue: 4Pines Park
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Nine Network
Odds: Sea Eagles $3.30, Storm $1.33 – odds via PlayUp

Manly

1. Reuben Garrick 2. Jason Saab 3. Morgan Harper 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Sean Keppie 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Toafofoa Sipley 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Andrew Davey 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Dylan Walker 15. Josh Schuster 16. Martin Taupau 17. Taniela Paseka

Melbourne

1. Nick Meaney 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Grant Anderson 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Chris Lewis 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Brandon Smith 14. Jayden Nikorima 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

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