The New Zealand Warriors will certainly need to produce some Anzac Day spirit tonight if they hope to beat the undefeated Melbourne Storm away from home. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.00pm AEST.
Melbourne’s premiership defence remains as solid as ever following their great 17-10 victory over South Sydney a fortnight ago.
In a high quality contest, the Storm’s attacking class and wonderful defence allowed them to end the Rabbitohs five match winning streak.
The Storm’s victory over South Sydney was their 15th win in a row and they are now just four wins away from equaling the Roosters record of 19 straight wins set during the 1970’s.
Given how badly the Warriors are travelling, Melbourne will once again be heavily favoured to produce the goods at their AAMI Park fortress.
Prediction
New Zealand has been competitive in defeats to the Rabbitohs and Raiders of late but still sit with only one win on the board thus far.
The Warriors had chances to beat Canberra two weeks ago but failed to hold out a fast finishing Raiders outfit away from home.
For New Zealand to cause the upset tonight, they simply have to hang in and keep this contest close for as long as possible.
If they can do that, the Warriors will grow in belief and will fancy their chances of snatching a result on the back of a piece of Shaun Johnson brilliance.
The Storm though continue to set the standard for excellent play in attack and commitment in defence, and would really need to be off their game to lose tonight.
Cooper Cronk at the moment is the most dominant player in the NRL, as evidenced by his wonderful showing against South Sydney.
Cronk had a hand in two of Melbourne’s tries and also slotted the match winning field goal against the Rabbitohs to round off another fine display.
Slater meanwhile emphasised the commitment in Melbourne’s wonderful defence after making two try-saving tackles in the first half to deny Nathan Merritt and Beau Champion from scoring respectively.
Forwards Ryan Hinchcliffe, Kevin Proctor and Jesse Bromwich were also superb last week and continue to lay the foundations for a star studded backline to fire.
In short, if Melbourne play anywhere near the level they showed against South Sydney, they will win tonight and win well.
Storm by 14.
Trent
Guest
Hahah I don't know where I heard eels winning 21 straight :| I don't count bulldogs winning 17 straight..
Alan
Roar Guru
Thanks for following ndu cele
PLANKO
Guest
Not sure what you were saying here Alan but chambers took the last pass and was standing in front of the winger
Meesta Cool
Guest
Yup, that was what the commentators quoted! 19 by Eastern Suburbs
Meesta Cool
Guest
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
Good win Storm. Queensland players (as well as Hoffman) are looking good for SOO.
Morfs
Guest
Hoffman won the Spirit of ANZAC Medal, which I believe is the man of the match award for this game.
Cameron
Roar Guru
All good. :) Was probably Trent's comment that confused you.
Michael
Guest
Who was man of the match
Roarsome
Guest
sorry, 19 :)
Cameron
Roar Guru
Tell that to rugby league and the stats kept... http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/NRL/records.html
Matt
Guest
I don't think you can count wins when the team was illegitimate
Cameron
Roar Guru
A legal team? No. A record noted, yes. What's 21? The record is 19 by eastern suburbs.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Yep..weren't stripped of wins but points.
Roarsome
Guest
With a legal team? Wasn't that the year they were stripped of all points? In any case 15 and 21 are great efforts.
Matt
Guest
Same year as the salary cap breach?
Cameron
Roar Guru
No it's not. 17 is the record. Set by the bulldogs in 2002.
Cameron
Roar Guru
You're pulling our leg right??
Trent
Guest
Eels won 21 straight
Roarsome
Guest
15 consecutive wins, most ever the NRL. Broncs did in ARL/SL and Easts did it in the NSWRL but there's no one in the modern game with such success. Congrats Melbourne. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.