In a game we have become used to seeing on Anzac Day, this year the Melbourne Storm host the New Zealand Warriors on Easter Monday at AAMI Park. Join The Roar from 4:45pm (AEDT) for live scores and coverage.
The Storm have started their season with unconvincing results, with two wins against the Dragons and the struggling Sharks, and losses against the Sea Eagles and a demoralising one-point loss against the Cowboys last Monday night in golden point.
The Storm currently sit seventh, and have neither been impressive nor overly disappointing. But they need to create a buffer for the inevitable lull they will suffer over the Origin period.
Meanwhile, the Warriors have also recorded two wins and two losses. They started the season with a loss at the hands of the undefeated an unrelenting Knights, before recording a win in Canberra against the Raiders. After this they managed to beat the Eels in their first home game of the season before going down to the Broncos last weekend.
The Storm have named an unchanged team from the side that went down to the Cowboys, however having to name your side less than 24 hours after playing means there could be a few late changes, and Craig Bellamy has added Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and Hymel Hunt to an extended six-man bench.
The Warriors have named Ngani Laumape to have his first NRL game of the season as a replacement for Matthew Allwood. Meanwhile, Ben Henry will miss the rest of the NRL season after rupturing his ACL. Sebastine Ikahihifo has been named to start in his place off the bench in jersey 15, while Sione Lousi is added to an extended five-man interchange.
If the Warriors can find consistency they will challenge for the premiership, but if not they will continue to be defined by odd moments of brilliance and too many that just aren’t good enough.
This game should be won in the battle of the halves. Cooper Cronk versus Shaun Johnson is one of the most mouth-watering battles in the NRL, and Cronk has been well backed up by Blake Green so far this year as has Johnson by Chad Townsend.
Prediction
Storm with home ground advantage and knowing how important it is to start winning should prove to be too strong for the Warriors in a close one. Storm by 8.
Whichever way this one turns out it should be a cracker, so join The Roar from 4:45pm (AEDT) for live scores and coverage, and if you’re following along be sure to leave your comments and thoughts.
Scott Pryde
Expert
No problems Joe, Storm were unconvincing the first but really turned up the heat in the second. Koroibete was electric tonight.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the coverage. Storm too good today, Marika Koroibete must be close to the buy of the season.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well that just about wraps up the Roar's live coverage of the clash between the Melbourne Storm and the New Zealand Warriors, the Storm running out convincing winners. Hopefully you enjoyed my coverage this evening. Remember to keep checking back in at the Roar for all things sport and as I said Alan Nicolea's blog of the third game has kicked off. Il'll be back during round 6 to bring you more live NRL action. Thanks for joining in and have a good night!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Right the third game on Easter Monday between the Penrith Panthers and the North Queensland Cowboys is just about to kick off so why not head over and check out Alan Nicolea's blog (yep he is going again).
Scott Pryde
Expert
So in the end the Storm take out the win against the Warriors at AAMI Park by 16 points 30 to 14. They were dominant most of the game and after taking an 8 point lead into the half time break unconvincingly, came back out in the second half and put the Warriors to the sword without a second thought. For the Storm they were good in defence and even better at making the Warriors pay for their mistakes in attack. Marika Koroibete, named man of the match was absolutely brilliant for the Storm running for almost 200 meters and picking up the match sealing try. Other tries in the second half for the Storm came to Tim Glasby and Will Chambers as they put the Warriors out of the contest. For the Warriors it was a story of execution or lack thereof. They had their fair share of opportunities but had poor execution and zero consistency in their game. Some moments of brilliance were sparked by Shaun Johnson and at times Chad Townsends kicking game was quite good. Lolohea and Vatuvei I thought were the Warriors 2 best on grounds. For the Storm their big 3 stood up as well and put the Warriors to bed this evening although they were wonderfully backed up by the kicking game of Blake Green. In the end though the Storm far too strong for the Warriors winning 30 points to 14.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Man of the Match is MARIKA KOROIBETE and deservedly so.
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - Off the scrum the Warriors spread it but scramble defence from the Storm stops Jonathon Wright from getting through. Now a penalty is given away and there is a bit of push and shove here as the siren sounds in the background. The Warriors will have one play off the penalty and want to score. Lolohea ends up getting it on the right and he grubbers but over the sideline it goes and that will be that. Great win for the Storm. FULLTIME AT AAMI PARK: MELBOURNE STORM 30 defeat NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
79' - Warriors starting to muscle up now. Melbourne running away from their goalline and Chambers gets carted backwards about 10 meters before losing the ball. Warriors with a scrum 30 meters out and 54 seconds to go. Storm 30 Warriors 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - Well that sums up the Warriors night. They spread to the left and have a 2 on 1 where Kata throws the ball to Vatuvei but he cant hold it and over the sideline it goes. Execution once again letting the Warriors down. Storm 30 Warriors 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - Koroibete with a massive hit up off the scrum there. That's going to hurt the defenders. Now they go right before the kick comes back to the left and it is batted back by Proctor before Wright picks it up and takes it away for the Warriors but good luck running away from Koroibete. He looked like a man possessed chasing there. Storm 30 Warriors 14
Dan
Guest
Geez that was good. They go right all game, throwing the ball to Slayer. First time they hit left, they go to the centre and to the wing. Brilliant strategy.
Scott Pryde
Expert
75' - Now the Warriors working it away but a forward pass for the Warriors. 16 point game and 5 to go. Looks to be all over here in Melbourne. Storm 30 Warriors 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
75' - The Storm bring themselves onto the attack now and up goes the kick on the last with a steaming through Koroibete. Lolohea takes it nicely though. Been one of the best for the Warriors tonight. Storm 30 Warriors 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
74' - Attempted short kick of from the Warriors with time running out but Chambers takes it for the Storm. Storm 30 Warriors 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
73' - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by CAMERON SMITH from right on the sideline. Beautiful kick. Storm 30 Warriors 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
71' - TRY STORM, MARIKIA KOROIBETE Video ref for the Storm. How good is Koroibete! The Storm go left and go left again here as Green goes to Kurt Mann who draws the defenders in and gets rid of the ball to Koroibete. He opens the after burners and dives for the line just getting it down inside the side line and surely that must be it now? Storm 28 Warriors 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
70' - The Storm getting onto the attack pretty early in the set. They go right to Fonua and left back the other way but not much happening. In the end Green puts a grubber through and it sits up beautifully as Lolohea takes it dead. Perfect result for the Storm. 10 to go. Storm 24 Warriors 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
69' - The Warriors now looking to spread it out of their own end as Johnson passes to Hurrell but in the tackle with a couple of defenders after a big run he tries to offload and it comes lose. Very sloppy from the Warriors and it looks like the Warriors don't want to win this at times. Storm with the scrum just over halfway. Storm 24 Warriors 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION MISSED By SHAUN JOHNSON - Shouldn't have missed that! Storm 24 Warriors 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
66' - TRY WARRIORS, SEBASTINE IKAHIFIO Now off the back of the penalty the Warriors coming onto the attack. And up to the video ref we go. Townsend grubbers through and an ugly deflection for the Storm of Chambers comes back to Ikahifio who touches down to score. Unlucky for Melbourne but off the back of a penalty. Much needed for the Warriors as the green light comes up. Storm 24 Warriors 14