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The Melbourne Storm have recorded an absolutely comprehensive victory over the New Zealand Warriors at AAMI Park, holding them scoreless and running up eight tries.
The Warriors defence was absolutely soft, and the match was over by half time as the Warriors were down 28-0. They struggled to get any attack or momentum going, and simply looked as if they didn’t want to be there.
REPORT: STORM BLOW WARRIORS AWAY
Credit where it is due for the Storm though. Their forwards absolutely rolled up the field all game long, with Dale Finucane, Tohu Harris and Jesse Bromwich leading the way. Combine that with strong play from Cameron Munster, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith and the Storm were just about unstoppable.
Things started in the fourth minute through Tohu Harris. In just the second set of the game for Melbounre, Cameron Smith drifted out of dummy half before passing to Tohu Harris and he crashed over.
The next saw Tim Glasby score after Jesse Bromwich took on the line and threw a flat ball to the left. Again, it was too easy as the Warriors defence buckled like that of a junior team.
Jesse Bromwich scored 10 minutes later, after acting as a decoy but turning into the ball runner, crashing over on the last tackle – again with ease.
Marika Koroibete would be next to score from a long range effort after Young Tonumaipea broke through the line off one of the Storms long range expansive efforts.
With Sisuala Vinivalu denied a pair of tries, the Storm could be up by 40 but finished the half with a try to Cameron Munster who crashed over with some brilliant footwork. Following the common trend though, it was soft defence that saw him score.
The biggest talking point out of the first half was the sin-binning of Blake Ayshford due to a professional foul.
The Warriors managed to get into the contest during the second half but couldn’t get themselves on the board. Their defence was marginally stronger, and they looked threatening on a few occasions but realistically the game was well and truly over by that point.
Cooper Cronk would cross in the 55th minute with what was another defensive breakdown. He ran to the right, found a hole and was easily able to run through.
Suliasi Vinivalu would then close out the game with a double after being denied twice.
In the end, a comprehensive performance from Melbourne.
Score
Melbourne Storm 42
New Zealand Warriors 0
The final game on ANZAC Day sees the Melbourne Storm and New Zealand Warriors renew their rivalry after it was put on hold last year. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7pm (AEST).
The two sides had been adding a second game to ANZAC Day for many season, but last year with the special day falling on a Saturday and five games being played it was New Zealand who hosted the Gold Coast Titans and Melbourne who hosted the Manly Sea Eagles.
The Storm might be sitting right up the pointy end of the competition table, but haven’t hit top form just yet. Despite winning five games, their last three have seen them only just get the better of the hapless Newcastle Knights and Wests Tigers, while recording a six-point win at home over the Canterbury Bulldogs.
The Warriors on the other hand after starting the season in the worst way possible with three straight losses have managed to bounce back, but like the Storm aren’t in great form. They have won three games, but the only one even worth talking about was last week over the Bulldogs.
In team news, exciting rookie Suliasi Vunivalu has been left out for the Storm with Young Tonumaipea back on the wing. Manu Vatuvei also returns for the Warriors, with Tuimoala Lolohea going to fullback, replacing the injured Roger Tuivasa Sheck.
The key here is Shaun Johnson. If he can get his kicking game right, and not overplay his hand but step up when the time calls for it then he should be able to guide the Warriors a long way towards the victory. With Roger Tuivasa Sheck out, he also has a much larger role to play, needing to run the ball a lot more which is something he has struggled to do this year.
Issac Luke as well will have plenty to do in trying to add creativity without Sheck. On the other hand, the Storm are also without first-choice fullback Billy Slater – obviously he has been out for quite some time. Cameron Munster is a very suitable replacement, but Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk have struggled for form just a little bit.
If Johnson can get his game right – and Cronk and Smith can’t then it should be pretty obvious which way this one will go.
Prediction
Tough one to pick this. New Zealand have been up and down like a yo-yo – still I tend to think ANZAC Day will bring out the best in them.
Warriors by 6.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match from 7pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde