Dominic Brock | rugbyleaguelive.com | 14/05/08 | 0
St George Illawarra have been given an ideal opportunity to get a win over the Melbourne Storm this week, with the minor premiers missing nine players and a coach for Saturday night’s clash.
The Storm have named an almost unrecognisable team for the away game, with Queensland stars Cameron Smith, Greg Inglis, Israel Folau, Dallas Johnson, Michael Crocker and Billy Slater and Blues Brett White, Ryan Hoffman and Anthony Quinn all out of action.
Slater was rewarded for his exceptional form by getting a start at fullback for the Maroons, with Brisbane’s Karmichael Hunt playing at five-eighth, while Storm skipper Smith will captain the side.
The Dragons will also be without some key players, with centres Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper and utility back Ben Hornby all lining up for New South Wales.
St George Illawarra have just two wins this season but both have come against impressive teams, beating the Titans in round 2 and the Roosters in round 7.
That trend could continue when they take on the massively under-strength Storm on Saturday.
Dragons: Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale, Josh Morris, Chase Stanley, Michael Lett, Jamie Soward, Rangi Chase, Justin Poore, Dean Young, Jason Ryles, Beau Scott, Lagi Setu, Ben Creagh. Interchange: Kirk Reynoldson, Dan Hunt, Simon Woolford, Stuart Webb, Jon Green, Matt Prior, Frank Samia (three to be omitted).
Storm: Steve Turner, Brett Anderson, Will Chambers, Sam Tagataese, Dane Nielsen, Russ Aitken, Cooper Cronk, Clifford Manua, Matt Geyer, Antonio Kaufusi, Jeremy Smith, Sika Manu, Aiden Tolman. Interchange: Liam Foran, Kevin Proctor, Scott Anderson, Sinbad Kali, Lucas Miller (one to be omitted).
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