Jacob Kiraz Returns as Bulldogs Vs Storm Lineup Shifts Late
Jacob Kiraz will start at fullback when the Bulldogs meet the Storm in bulldogs vs storm at Accor Stadium on Friday night after Connor Tracey was ruled out late with a hamstring injury. The switch comes with Canterbury already adjusting its backline for the 8.00pm AEST kick-off.
Kiraz Back In The No. 1
Kiraz is on track to return from a knee injury and take over the fullback role, with Jethro Rinakama moving into the starting side on the wing. For Canterbury, the change lands just before kickoff and reshapes the way the left and right edges are lined up against Melbourne.
Tracey’s late absence is the trigger. Canterbury had no time to ease into the adjustment, so the return from injury became the immediate solution rather than a slow build back into the side.
Storm Spine Missing Pieces
Melbourne arrive without Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Trent Loiero, all away on Origin duty. Craig Bellamy named Keagan Russell-Smith at five-eighth, and the 0ff-season depth test now falls on a player making just his second NRL appearance.
Bellamy said, “We’ll miss those players, but these guys get an opportunity to get to see what the NRL is all about”. He also said, “We’ve got ‘Gabe’ making his debut this weekend, Keegan has played one game two years ago, and Trent has played a couple of games. It’s great experience for them, and the biggest thing for them is not to complicate it and to play to their strengths because they know what they’re good at.”
Bellamy’s Young Options
That leaves Gabriel Satrick set for his first grade debut off the bench, while Trent Toelau has been picked at hooker. Sualauvi Faalogo, William Warbrick, Jack Howarth and Nick Meaney round out the Storm backline, with Jahrome Hughes outside Russell-Smith in the halves.
The match also comes one day after Jaydn Su’A tore his calf and was ruled out, with Hayden Buchanan coming into the centres for the Dragons. For the Bulldogs, the immediate story is simpler: Kiraz is back, Tracey is out, and the lineup that runs out against Melbourne will look different from the one Canterbury expected earlier in the week.
