Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors Preview
The Storm find themselves at 2-3 for the season after three straight losses, but can bounce back with a solid win over the Warriors. They have won 17 straight in this fixture and the run can be extended by covering a -9.5 line.
- Storm have won the last 17 meetings between the teams
- Nine of their last 11 wins over the Warriors have been by 10+ points
- Warriors have lost their last 10 games at AAMI Park
- The last four meetings have seen Over 46.5 points
- Four of the Storm's five games this season have seen Over 46.5 points
- Warriors have seen Over 46.5 points in all five games this season
- Joe Chan has scored a try in his last two games at AAMI Park
- Storm have conceded 1+ try to opposition starting second-rowers in their last three games - Jacob Laban also scored two weeks ago vs Tigers
Storm vs Warriors Head To Head
The Storm have been absolutely dominant in this matchup, winning the last 17 encounters - scoring 30+ points in the last four.
Melbourne Storm Lose Three Straight
As always, it was an impressive start to the season for the Storm - they dismantled the Eels and Dragons, scoring a combined 96 points.
However, it's been slim pickings ever since.
Melbourne blew a big half-time lead to lose at home to Brisbane before suffering a four-point loss on the road to the Cowboys.
The Storm hit a new low in last week's 50-10 thrashing at the hands of Penrith, but to be fair, the Panthers are crushing every side in their path at the moment, so I'm not sure it's too concerning a defeat.
Time for the Munster, Hughes & Grant combination to step up at home for this one.
Melbourne Storm Team News
Jack Howarth (hip) and Moses Leo (concussion) return in the Storm backline, pushing Manaia Waitere to the interchange and Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown out of the side.
Melbourne Storm Team List
Reserves
Melbourne Storm Team List
1. Sualauvi Faalogo
2. William Warbrick
3. Jack Howarth
4. Nick Meaney
5. Moses Leo
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Harry Grant
10. Josh King
11. Joe Chan
12. Cooper Clarke
13. Trent Loiero
Interchange
14. Tyran Wishart
15. Alec MacDonald
16. Jack Hetherington
17. Davvy Moale
Reserves
18. Lazarus Vaalepu
19. Manaia Waitere
20. Preston Conn
21. Hugo Peel
22. Trent Toelau
New Zealand Warriors Lacking Consistency
Similar sort of season as the Storm for the Warriors.
The Kiwi club exploded out of the gates with a 42-18 thrashing of the Roosters before piling on the points in victories over the Raiders (40-6) and Knights (38-12).
Tanah Boyd was a revelation at halfback and Leka Halasima was a menace on the edges.
However, the Wahs have been disappointing over the last fortnight, suffering a surprise 32-14 loss at home to the Tigers before a 36-22 defeat to the Sharks on the road last week.
It was a good day at the office for winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak despite the loss as he crossed for a hat-trick.
New Zealand Warriors Team News
Chanel Harris-Tavita comes back in at five-eighth for Luke Metcalf.
Adam Pompey has also been suspended, so a reshuffle of the backline will be needed ahead of kick-off.
Adam Pompey has also been suspended, so a reshuffle of the backline will be needed ahead of kick-off.
New Zealand Warriors Team List
1. Taine Tuaupiki
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
4. TBA
5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
6. Chanel Harris-Tavita
7. Tanah Boyd
8. James Fisher-Harris
9. Wayde Egan
10. Jackson Ford
11. Leka Halasima
12. Jacob Laban
13. Erin Clark
Interchange
14. Samuel Healey
15. Marata Niukore
16. Demitric Vaimauga
17. Tanner Stowers-Smith
Reserves
18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
20. Alofiana Khan-Pereira
21. Morgan Gannon
22. Luke Hanson
23. Ali Leiataua