Sunday afternoon football kicks off with a blockbuster as the New Zealand Warriors host reigning premiers Melbourne Storm in what should be a cracking contest. Join us for live scores and commentary from 12.00pm AEST.
The Warriors have won six of their past seven matches and should be favoured to play close to their best in front of a big home crowd.
Matches between the Warriors and Storm have always been entertaining affairs and today’s contest should be no different.
The Storm are fresh off a bye and that break will serve them well given the taxing Origin period that has seen the club lose two matches without their Origin stars.
New Zealand meanwhile are coming off a solid victory over the Tigers and need to keep their winning momentum going if they are to keep their finals destiny in their own hands.
Prediction
The last time these two teams met, Melbourne prevailed in a tough Anzac Day encounter and will need to showcase every bit of their premiership winning credentials to get away with a win today.
The Warriors have played terrific football at home over the past several weeks and will take a power of stopping upfront.
Forwards Sam Rapira, Ben Matulino, Jacob Lillyman and Simon Mannering have all been in solid form and will severely test Melbourne’s defence up the middle.
The Storm will also have to keep tabs on halfback Shaun Johnson, who produced a match winning performance against the Tigers last week.
After a tough start to the season, Johnson is starting to play with the form responsible for guiding the Warriors to the 2011 grand final.
Johnson also always seems to fire against Melbourne and will be the danger man again if New Zealand get on top up the middle.
With the finals fast approaching however, this is usually the time of year where Melbourne begin to hit their stride.
Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith are all coming off another successful Origin campaign for Queensland and will certainly be playing with confidence.
In a tight and high quality contest, the Storm may just dig deep here and get away with a vital victory.
Storm by four.
JR Salazar
Guest
Barring an Act of God, I do not see this Storm side winning it all.
Matt
Guest
Haven't the warriors beaten them in the last 2 final matches played? 2011 and 2008. They fight above their weight vs the storm of recent years. Every year they've been rather low on the ladder, and often managed to win anyway.
expatwarrior
Guest
Thankful the storm bombed alot of tries too but a big win for the warriors. Bringing in Peyroux and shifting Hurrell out to wing was a good move by Elliot cause they were running a muck down that side. I dont know what it is with our defence. When teams use set plays against us we always seem to get stretched with ease. I've lost count of the tries scored against us like this. Still its good to get the two points specially against one of the big guns.
Morfs
Guest
Actually, Storm had beaten the Warriors the previous three games in a row. So it's not as much of a hoodoo as people make out. That said, the Warriors, like all teams, lift when playing Storm. Today was a marvelous example of the Warriors' potential, and despite being a Storm fan, I hope the Kiwis manage to keep these sorts of displays up.
Matt
Guest
Every single time! Is there a greater hoodoo then this? Storm have been going better every year, every stat would suggest domination, yet they lose constantly to the warriors.
db swannie
Guest
Contender for game of the yr. Was tough entertaining footy from the 1st minute.
Alan
Roar Guru
In a game that had everything, the Warriors have emerged eight point winners over Melbourne. There was great attack, superb defence and entertainment and drama galore in a great day for rugby league. The Warriors continue their great winning form and are in the top eight for the first time this year I believe. Storm will now drop to fourth on the ladder if Manly beat the Tigers on Monday. Warriors continue to produce the goods and have now defeated Melbourne, Manly and the Roosters. Great scalps. They are looking every bit the darkhorse for the premiership. Thank your for your company and join us for the Knights - Roosters blockbuster in an hours time. Warriors 30 Storm 22
Zaccaaa
Guest
Good win warriors!
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - Warriors gather the short kickoff. Storm will lose here. Warriors continue their magnificent winning form. What a cracking game of footy that was! FULLTIME Warriors 30 Storm 22
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Johnson converts Warriors 30 Storm 22 Only fitting for Locke to score the match winner. He has been superb today and has scored the match winner in arguably one of the best games of the season!
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY WARRIORS - Storm with great defence thus far. Warriors desperate to seal victory here and now. Oh What a game! Johnson with a chip bomb and and Locke has regathered and scored!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Warriors 26 Storm 22
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - This is it for the Warriors. Have to back themselves in attack. They are nervous. Do they protect the lead or go for another try? Johnson with a grubber and its six again! O'Neill with another knock on Warriors 24 Storm 22
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - What a huge few minutes coming up here for both teams. This could make or break the Warriors season. Knock on by Cronk! Warriors right on the attack again! Warriors 24 Storm 22
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Smith converts Warriors 24 Storm 22 Great play from Smith and Cronk again to find Waqa who raced down the sideline before finding Cronk on the inside who scores a huge try again just moments after Melbourne defended their line
Renegade
Guest
What a great game of footy!!
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY STORM - Cronk with a pass to Waqa who finds Cronk on the inside again and he scores a great try!!!!!!!!!!! Warriors 24 Storm 20
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Johnson with a poor ball and the Storm survive! Great defence Warriors 24 Storm 16
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Melbourne defending well thus far, rushing up. Leuluai held up over the line! Warriors 24 Storm 16
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Mateo gets a pass that looked forward. Storm holding on. Johnson with a bomb and O'Neill knocks on! Six again Warriors 24 Storm 16
Alan
Roar Guru
Slater knocked on cold with no pressure on him whatsoever. Warriors with match point here.... Warriors 24 Storm 16