Week 1 Semi Final 1 Roosters v Storm

ROOSTERS V STORM - FRI 11 SEPTEMBER, 7.55PM, ALLIANZ STADIUM | BUY TICKETS

Roosters
1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
2 Daniel Tupou
3 Michael Jennings
4 Blake Ferguson
5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall
6 James Maloney
7 Jackson Hastings
8 Sam Moa
9 Jake Friend (c)
10 Dylan Napa
11 Boyd Cordner
12 Aidan Guerra
13 Sio Siua Taukeiaho

Interchange
14 Mitchell Aubusson
15 Isaac Liu
16 Kane Evans
17 Suaia Matagi
18 Matt McIlwrick

Coach: Trent Robinson

Storm
1 Cameron Munster
2 Marika Koroibete
3 Will Chambers
4 Kurt Mann
5 Matt Duffie
6 Blake Green
7 Cooper Cronk
8 Jesse Bromwich
9 Cameron Smith (c)
10 Tim Glasby
11 Kevin Proctor
12 Tohu Harris
13 Ryan Hinchcliffe

Interchange
14 Kenny Bromwich
15 Christian Welch
16 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
17 Jordan McLean

Coach: Craig Bellamy

Roosters determined to learn from 2014

Chris Kennedy Wed 09 Sep, 2015, 6:30am
By Chris Kennedy*, National Correspondent, NRL

Aidan Guerra is confident the Roosters have learnt their lesson from 2014. Credit: Grant Trouville. Copyright: NRL Photos.
It highlighted just how hard it is to go back-to-back in the NRL these days – a star studded, premiership-winning Roosters side fading out of the 2014 finals series with a near-identical roster to the one that swept all before them in 2013.

A shock loss to Penrith in the opening week of the finals was followed by a near-disastrous fadeout against the Cowboys a week later before succumbing to arch rivals South Sydney in the Grand Final qualifier.

Coach Trent Robinson last week admitted the side wasn't quite in the same place mentally last year as in the title year in 2013 but insisted that had now been corrected.

This week back-rower Aidan Guerra was confident the lessons learned would help the side return to the top of the NRL tree in 2015.

"We've got a different mentality. What happened last year is in the past," he said.

"I think there is a different mind frame around the place [compared to last year].

"That's not saying that last year we weren't a 100 per cent focused because we were, but there's just something about learning lessons from failure that you don't quite get out of being successful, and I think last year we got a few lessons towards the end.

"This year everyone is working in that direction to prove that we learned that lesson."

He added it's no surprise that a club has been able to go back-to-back since the 1992-93 Broncos.

"It's been over 20 years since someone has gone back to back and surely rosters don't change that much from season to season for teams to go first to fourth," he said.

"There's teams that have been up there for a couple of years in a row but no-one has had that ability to go back to back.

"Maybe it's that you keep the things you were doing the year you won, but everyone else evolves. That's just a theory – it could be mental; it could be tactical."

The Roosters squad has a fresher look to it this year compared to last year, with players like Sonny Bill Williams, Luke O'Donnell and Dan Mortimer having departed from the 2013 squad but players such as Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Jackson Hastings stepping up and others such as Kane Evans and Dylan Napa maturing and improving out of sight in the past 12 months.

"There's some new fresh faces and with that they bring their own attributes and contributions to the side," Guerra said.

"We're pretty happy with where we are but we're not going to rest on that.

"We want to keep improving. You need to play your best game every week, especially in the finals."

Guerra debuted with the Roosters in 2010 but spent several years in the Storm system prior to that, and has also featured in the Queensland Origin squad in recent years, giving him a closer idea than most of the importance of players such as Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk.

"I was with Storm for four years and learned a few lessons and took a bit on board as to what it is to be a first grader," Guerra said of his time down south.

"Obviously with the calibre of players down there, if you can't learn something then you probably didn't want to learn.

"I've now moved onto the Roosters and very happy here but Melbourne is where I got the chance earlier on."

Guerra wasn't at all surprised the Storm shook off the loss of Billy Slater to finish in the top four.

"You can never write off a team with players like that. Now that they've got young [Cameron] Munster in the fold filing in quite nicely for Billy, they're back to a dangerous attacking outfit," he said.

"They've always prided themselves on their defence. But it was the attack that took a bit of time when they lost Billy. But now it looks like they've got it back."

Roosters v Storm Qualifying Final preview
Allianz Stadium Friday, 7.55pm

http://www.nrl.com

For the first time in their history the Roosters and the Storm will meet in a finals match – a rather surprising stat given the success both clubs have enjoyed in the modern era.

Melbourne are chasing their first finals win since the 2012 Grand Final but it will be a tough ask on the road against the minor premiers who will take a 12-game winning streak into September.

The Storm are displaying a strong form line in their own right with their last three wins coming against teams that finished inside the top five.

These teams have met twice this year. Cooper Cronk proved the hero with a game-winning field goal for the Storm in Round 7, but the men in purple will have fresh memories of their last trip to Allianz Stadium back in Round 12 when they were handed their biggest loss of the year to the tune of 24-2.

There were a number of outliers in that result though given Melbourne's Origin stars were battle weary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who dominated that night, will be watching from the stands on Friday night.

The major talking point heading into Friday night will be the fitness of Storm skipper Cameron Smith.

The champion hooker has not trained all week and was absent from Monday's captains call as he continues to battle a virus that has left him bed-ridden.

Watch Out Roosters: With wins of 36 and 30 points respectively since the season-ending knee injury to Jared Waerea-Hargreaves you could make the case that the Roosters are doing just fine without their Kiwi talisman. However by heading into Friday night without him, Trent Robinson's side surrenders a significant edge. JWH was a difference-maker back when these two teams met in Round 12. It was not so much what he did with the football but his ability to keep opposing prop Jesse Bromwich from having any real influence on the game. Bromwich could manage just 97 metres that night, well short of his season average of 162. Waerea-Hargreaves was relentless in the face of the Storm forward pack and got under their skin; this week may prove just how important he is to this Roosters side.

Watch Out Storm: Even without JWH the Roosters' best chance of beating Melbourne is by monstering them up the middle. That is exactly the approach they took the last time the Storm came to town and it paid dividends. Melbourne were simply overpowered as they allowed the Roosters to march for 2014 metres, nearly double their own tally on the night. They also surrendered 41 per cent of possession and against the minor premiers that equates to nothing short of a disaster. The Storm must control the football on Friday night and starve the Roosters forward pack of possession if they are to be a chance in this contest.

Key Match-Up: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck v Cameron Munster. Sit back in your seats, strap yourselves in and prepare for the battle of the young guns. Confidence is in no short supply for these two fullbacks who seem to hold no fear when the spotlight is cast upon them. No player gained more metres in season 2015 than Tuivasa-Sheck; in fact the 22-year-old had almost 2000 metres than anyone else in the NRL. The Storm will be well aware of the threat RTS poses after he finished with 271 metres, a line break and an assist back in Round 12. Munster's emergence in the absence of Billy Slater has shown that this 20-year-old is set for future stardom. The Storm No.1 carries his own strong form line into Friday night, averaging 179 metres per game – ranking him fourth in the NRL. These two kids may have less than 100 games of experience between them but that only makes this match-up all the more mouthwatering.

The History: Played 29; Sydney 14, Storm 15. The last six games between these two teams have been split at three apiece although the Roosters have won three of the last four meetings.

What Are The Odds: Sportsbet have actually taken more money on the Storm in this match despite the Roosters' golden run of form. There's 40 per cent more cash invested on Melbourne in the head-to-head market, and Storm 1-12 is the way punters are going in margin betting. Shaun Kenny Dowall has been the best backed for first try scorer however. Latest odds at Sportsbet.com.au

Match Officials: Referee – Ben Cummins; Assistant Referee – Alan Shortall; Touch Judges – Jason Walsh & Nick Beashel; Video Referees – Bernard Sutton & Ben Galea.

Televised: Channel Nine, Live, 7.55pm.

The Way We See It: Cameron Smith's body could not have picked a worse time to pack it in although you never count a champion out. That being said, the form of the Roosters is as good as it gets and they will be in no mood to take the foot off the gas. Roosters by 8.

Storm book preliminary final berth

Jack Brady Fri 11 Sep, 2015, 9:42pm
By Jack Brady*, National Correspondent, NRL.com

Storm book preliminary final berth
The Melbourne Storm have advanced to week three of the Telstra Premiership finals series and ended the minor premiers' memorable 12-game winning streak with a tough 20-18 victory at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.

Taking Roosters fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck completely out of calculations, on top of completely frustrating the Tricolours – who struggled with their backline depth all game – out of the proceedings by their constant slowing down of the ruck Melbourne have now earned themselves a home preliminary final.

A rare try from unlikely match-sealer prop Tim Glasby with nine minutes remaining would ultimately prove the difference as the Storm handed their opponents their first loss since being defeated by the Sharks 10-4 back in Round 13.

The Roosters are now set to play on Friday night at Allianz Stadium against the winner of Saturday's elimination final between the Bulldogs and Dragons, while the Storm will enjoy a week off, helpful given they finished the match with just 14 fit players.

Speaking after the victory, Storm coach Craig Bellamy was pleased with his side's efforts in defence, but noted Melbourne must improve in attack.

"I thought we made it hard on ourselves a few times with the footy," Bellamy said. "Our defence, at the end of the game too, but especially in the first half we didn't build a whole lot of pressure and I thought they built more pressure but our defence was really good. We set ourselves some pretty good standards over the past month and we held up those standards."

In what was a dour opening half with the Roosters up 8-6, the Storm drew level in the 48th minute from the boot of skipper Cameron Smith.

An error from Tuivasa-Sheck on his own line gave Melbourne a golden opportunity to go ahead, doing so in the 54th minute when they swung it wide for makeshift centre Tohu Harris to assist Kurt Mann to score and secure a 14-8 lead, with Mann shifting to the wing after Marika Koroibete failed to return from the sheds at half-time due to a lacerated Achilles.

After spending much of the second stanza in their own half the Roosters hit back amazingly in the 65th minute from a memorable run from Jennings; who after beating five men passed to Hastings to provide an inch-perfect kick to the chest of Shaun Kenny-Dowall. Maloney's missed goal denied the Roosters a chance to draw level.

Six minutes later the Storm returned to their end of the field, and with two notorious leapers in Duffie and Daniel Tupou looking to catch a Cronk kick, it would be prop Tim Glasby who would pick up the scraps to score just his second try of the year.

The Roosters weren't done with yet though and drew within two points again two minutes later. After collecting the short kick-off following Glasby's try, Ferguson pegged one back on Munster and Mann when he forced his way in barnstorming fashion.


However it wouldn't be the Roosters' night, who would be lamenting their first-half form when after a scrappy start Melbourne were first to score in the 10th minute when fullback Munster was fed the ball out wide, where he made Ferguson the fool, before sending it out to Koroibete to score in the corner.

A costly error from Storm five-eighth Blake Green proved a gift for the Roosters – with the flat outfit struggling to get a roll on in the first quarter of the game – when lock Sio Siua Taukeiaho forced his way over in the 19th minute.

In remarkable fashion a Sam Moa offload allowed hooker Jake Friend to pass on to a sprinting Taukeiaho who was able to swap the ball from one hand to the other as he was falling with three defenders on him to score.

With the game in the balance the Roosters finally looked to have clicked into gear after half an hour of play, but the hardy Storm defence weren't having any of it with their slowing down of the ruck paying dividends. Yet poor discipline meant a James Maloney penalty goal proved the difference at half-time.

It could've been a greater lead if not for Roosters centre Michael Jennings dropping his chance of scoring in the 36th minute from a wicked Hastings grubber – a chance that could have very well proved the difference in the grand scheme of things.

Melbourne Storm 20 (Marika Koroibete, Kurt Mann, Tim Glasby Tries; Cameron Smith 4 Goals) defeated Sydney Roosters 18 (Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Blake Ferguson Tries; James Maloney 3 Goals) at Allianz Stadium. Crowd: 20,521. Half-time: Roosters 8-6. Injuries: Marika Koroibete (Storm) – lacerated Achilles, Jordan McLean (Storm) - knee, Tim Glasby (Storm) - knee.

RTS shoulders blame for Storm loss

Chris Kennedy Sun 13 Sep, 2015, 7:00am
By Chris Kennedy*, National Correspondent, NRL.com

Roosters attacking sensation Roger Tuivasa-Sheck says he needed to have done a lot better in his side's 20-18 qualifying final loss to Melbourne on Friday night and has vowed this week's semi final against the Bulldogs won't be his last in Roosters colours.

It's a tough report card for a 22-year-old who has blitzed all expectations in his first year in the No.1 jersey, lapping the field in total running metres and showing incredible consistency in attack, under pressure and in organising in defence.

But he produced a couple of costly errors against Melbourne in his toughest game for some time and was despite being despondent afterwards the Warriors-bound fullback said he had every intention of playing three more games in red, white and blue before he departs.

"I'm hoping it won't be [my last game at the Roosters next week]," Tuivasa-Sheck said after the loss.

"I'm still looking beyond. We still have three more games in my head and I see that happening. I'm confident in my team."

Tuivasa-Sheck admitted the Storm, and particular experienced kickers Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk, had caught him off guard in some plays.

"I could've done a lot better in some areas," he said.

"I felt like I could've executed a lot of those plays to help us get out of trouble. It's all the little things that stuff us up. Small things created big errors and I guess that's how we lost the game.

"There were small things that we need to work on like small errors around the try line and catching the ball on the full. There's a lot on my behalf on the line and organisation. Little things we need to check up on.

"It was tough. We were stuck in between relaxing because it's a final but the intensity is picking up. A bit of mixed emotions. We lost it for ourselves – small errors and not completing our good ball sets."

Despite the loss Tuivasa-Sheck said the Roosters were upbeat and captain Jake Friend had addressed the group after full-time.

"Jake Friend was awesome after the game to get us in tight and tell us 'we're still on here' and there is another game next week. The positive for me I get to play a couple more games with my boys and I love that!

"The boys are still sticking strong, there is a good vibe now. It was pretty sad we lost the game [but] James Maloney and all the senior players have got the boys going again. It's a good feeling."