Naming Golden Boot winner Joey Manu as his replacement fullback to face Melbourne was a no-brainer, according to Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson.
With regular custodian James Tedesco ruled out through concussion, Manu was preferred ahead of youngster Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii for the Roosters' meeting with the Storm on Thursday night at AAMI Park.
The game will also be star Roosters hooker Brandon Smith's first NRL clash against his former club.
Taking out the 2022 award as the world's best player after wearing the No.1 jersey for New Zealand at the World Cup, Robinson said Manu deserved the opportunity to play at fullback.
The coach felt the 26-year-old would walk into the position at most other clubs but, with skipper Tedesco cemented at fullback, had opted to stay at the Roosters and play in the centres.
"Joey won the Golden Boot last year as the best player in the game for a reason - he's one of the best players in the world no matter what position he plays ... it's the way that he plays the game, it's not about a position for him.
"He proved that by getting that award from centre and fullback."
Robinson said that while Suaalii was developing well as a fullback his experience in the role was limited compared to Manu, with Storm halves Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes set to test the position with their kicking game.
"I've seen them play enough and you know their traits as a pairing. We'd be disappointed if they didn't," Robinson said of the Storm.
"We know that they're going to come with a couple of different plans but Joey will be ready for it, he knows what's coming."
The teams have both won three times this season.
The Roosters ended a five-game losing streak in the most recent meeting between the sides last August, with Manu and Suaalii among the tryscorers.
Smith was part of that Storm loss and while his former teammates have joked they plan to target him, Robinson expects his No.9 to be up for the challenge.
He said the Roosters' pre-season game in Geelong against Melbourne had helped Smith, who played 107 games with the Storm, prepare to take on his old side.
"The trial was actually a good thing for him and for us, to go down to Geelong and play against those colours," Robinson said.
"Now he's looking forward to coming back down here, seeing his mates after the game but playing a really good game for the Roosters."
After some mixed early season form, Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy was happy to get his first-choice pairing of Munster and Hughes back together.
Superstar Munster missed two games with a finger injury and then Kiwi half Hughes was suspended for two.
"We've just missed that combination a little bit," Bellamy said.
"Jonah (Pezet) stepped in and did a great job but getting back that intimate combination, it's real handy to have and hopefully they can combine well tomorrow night."
