The Sydney Roosters say the taxing Origin period is taking a toll on Melbourne's ageing superstars, but they won't be under-estimating the Storm when the two top-ranked NRL teams meet at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
While the Roosters will be without NSW captain Boyd Cordner, who has a calf injury after Wednesday's battle, they still have Origin guns Mitchell Pearce, Blake Ferguson and Dylan Napa on deck.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson said he was disappointed the Storm would be missing four injured Maroons in Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, who have general soreness, as well as concussed centre Will Chambers, as he wanted to test his team against their opponents at full strength.
But Robinson said he still expected the Storm to deliver.
"That is the attrition of Origin, they have some legend players who are above 30 now so obviously that's taken its toll," Robinson said.
"And Cordner for us but that is where the quality of the top teams... I certainly think they (Storm) showed it last week and we've shown it as well.
"That's why you stay at the top, if you continue to produce no matter who's playing."
He said a win would still mean just as much against a depleted Melbourne outfit.
"I would mean a lot - because that shows character in your team," Robinson said.
"There's different things that get thrown up through any season, and have to make sure you adapt and hold your standards and that's what we have tried to do.
"They had a good win against North Queensland so underestimating them will be at our peril."
The Tricolours are yet to decide on a second-row replacement for co-captain Cordner, who could also miss next round's clash with Cronulla.
The Storm are also still to finalise their team but are expected to field the same line-up that pipped North Queensland last round, when their Origin contingent was unavailable.
Rising star Jahrome Hughes, making his Storm debut, is the only likely change with five-eighth Ryley Jacks out with a groin injury suffered against the Cowboys.
Share
