The Melbourne Storm have used a late push to record a 21-14 victory over the New Zealand Warriors.
REPORT: STORM BEAT WARRIORS TO GO 3-0
The Warriors took the lead with 20 minutes to play via a Jonathan Wright try, but the Storm settled well and used a Cooper Cronk field goal to seal the victory. Marika Koroibete scored a try in the final minute to put the result to bed.
The Storm started extremely well, scoring a try through Kenny Bromwich to jump out to a six-point lead. The Warriors hit back however, as Lolohea scored in the corner to bring the home side back into the game.
Cameron Munster then scored an easy try for the Storm to take a 12-4 lead into the half time break.
New Zealand didn’t start the second half well, but they dominated after the 45th minute, and scored back-to-back tries through Kata and Wright to take the 14-12 lead.
The Warriors gave away a penalty to allow the Storm to tie the game, and then Cooper Cronk nailed a Field Goal in the 76th minute to take home the points.
The Warriors were much better in this match, but they still need to work on their composure in big moments. They had all the momentum when they took the lead, and probably should have gone on with the job.
The Storm go to the top of the table with the victory, pending the Rabbitohs vs. Dragons game at the SCG.
Final score
Warriors 14
Storm 21
The New Zealand Warriors are yet to live up to the pre-season hype, but perhaps some home cooking will help when the Melbourne Storm cross the Tasman for a Sunday afternoon showdown. Join The Roar for Live Scores and Commentary from 2:00pm AEDT.
The Warriors off-season has been covered many times on this website, but the expectations haven’t exactly panned out thus far. Both Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Issac Luke have been underwhelming in back-to-back losses to the Tigers and the Broncos.
Although they were much-improved in the latter game against Brisbane, the lack of any kind of offensive punch in the second half is potentially concerning for coach Andrew McFadden. They’ll need their offence to be clicking against a very well-drilled Melbourne defensive line.
The Storm have started the season as you’d expect: two wins from two starts. After escaping with a win against the Dragons in Round 1, they put the Titans to the sword in Round 2 to set themselves up very nicely for 2016.
However, this match-up does represent the first time that the Storm will have played outside of Melbourne this season, and the added international travel could become a problem. With the news that Billy Slater will miss the season after another bout of shoulder surgery, the Storm could be forgiven for losing some focus for this clash.
Sam Lisone and Raymond Faitala-Mariner will both miss this match for the Warriors, with Albert Vete and cult hero Charlie Gubb set to come into the side. While Manu Vatuvei (ribs) and Blake Ayshford (concussion) have both been named, Vatuvei in particular is expected to miss, with Konrad Hurrell or Jonathan Wright the likely replacement.
The Storm have named the same 1-17 as last weekend, with Cameron Munster once again set to feature as their fullback for the season. Curtis Scott impressed in his first NRL game, and he gets another shot in the No.4 jersey.
Prediction
The Warriors have always loved playing in front of their home fans, and they should get a massive boost this weekend. The results can’t be too far away for such a talented side, but I’m going to go with the more established team in a slight upset.
Storm by 2
Bill Larkin
Guest
Sterlo has always been a goose. The only team which is a better bet for the premiership is the Cowboys, and I have my money on the Storm
Joe
Roar Rookie
Great job by the Storm to come away with this one. Always wary of the Warriors and with their new spine and playing at home they were pretty tough. Always good to have Cronk and Smith to calmly steer the 1 point required to win the game.
Brian S
Guest
Still think sterlo is right;) Storm wont make the 8? they should be 500/1 to make the 8 & 1000/1 to win the GF;):):)!
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
MVP VOTING 3. Cooper Cronk 2. Simon Mannering 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
The Melbourne Storm have used a late push to record a 21-14 victory over the New Zealand Warriors. The Warriors took the lead with 20 minutes to play via a Jonathan Wright try, but the Storm settled well and used a Cooper Cronk field goal to seal the victory. Marika Koroibete scored a try in the final minute to put the result to bed. The Storm started extremely well, scoring a try through Kenny Bromwich to jump out to a six point lead. The Warriors hit back however, as Lolohea scored in the corner to bring the home side back into the game. Cameron Munster then scored an easy try for the Storm to take a 12-4 lead into the half time break. New Zealand didn't start the second half well, but they dominated after the 45th minute, and scored back-to-back tries through Kata and Wright to take the 14-12 lead. The Warriors gave away a penalty to allow the Storm to tie the game, and then Cooper Cronk nailed a Field Goal in the 76th minute to take home the points. The Warriors were much better in this match, but they still need to work on their composure in big moments. They had all the momentum when they took the lead, and probably should have gone on with the job. The Storm go to the top of the table with the victory, pending the Rabbitohs vs. Dragons game at the SCG. Thanks for joining me for this clash in Auckland, and be sure to stick with The Roar for the rest of Round 3.
Spongebob
Guest
Pretty poor from the Warriors, they were in great position for a field goal and didn't take it. With the breeze behind their back they would have been a good chance to hold on for the win as the Storm needed to get close for a shot, which is hard to do when you start every set off your 10m line. Storm only had one opportunity but that's all they needed.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Warriors 14 Storm 21 FULL TIME
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
TRY STORM 78' The Warriors are throwing the footy around, but they're doing 80 metres away from where they want to be. Matulino straightens them up now, before Johnson beats Harris to the outside. There's an overlap now, but Thompson's pass will go to ground. That allows Koroibete to pick up the loose ball, and he runs away to score the sealing try!!! Warriors 14 Storm 19
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
77' Good set off points from the Storm, as Bromwich gets them inside the 40. Last play now, and Cronk will stab one through. Good take from RTS, and he almost shakes free of a Munster tackle. Warriors 14 Storm 15
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
FIELD GOAL STORM 76' Cooper Cronk nails it!! Looked like there could have been a knock on in the lead up, but it won't matter. Storm lead by 1!!! Warriors 14 Storm 15
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
75' An error from Bodene Thompson, so the Storm will get good field position. We're getting down to Field Goal time now. Warriors 14 Storm 14
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
74' Cameron Smith rolls one through from dummy-half, and RTS has that one out to the 20. They're working it away here through Hoffman, but not before a poor pass from Bodene Thompson. Warriors 14 Storm 14
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
73' Shaun Johnson goes for a 40/20, but he doesn't have the angle. Munster is hit well by Tevaga on the return. Warriors 14 Storm 14
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
72' Cronk throws it on the boot, and a mixup at the back sees RTS tackled at his own 10. Good set from the Storm. Warriors 14 Storm 14
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
71' Bit of a nothing set in the end for the Warriors, and the Storm will work it away. Warriors 14 Storm 14
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
70' Penalty to the Warriors, and they'll go on the attack. Big chance here. Warriors 14 Storm 14
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
69' Great low tackle from Simon Mannering puts Jordan McLean down. A high shot in there from Mannering, but that one isn't called. Cronk has to kick under pressure, and RTS has it out to the 40. Warriors 14 Storm 14
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
PENALTY GOAL STORM 68' Smith nails it from 25 out. Warriors 14 Storm 14
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
66' Huge drop out from Shaun Johnson, that one traveled 60 on the fly. Mannering now lays some pain with defence, but it'll work out for Munster, as he gets 20 metres. Now a penalty to the Storm, and this is their best chance of the second half. Never mind that, they're going to try for the two. Warriors 14 Storm 12
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
65' Good move to the right for the Storm, and Tonumaipea makes a good run. They come to the left side, and Green will put a kick through. Lolohea has some work to do, but he can't do it. Warriors 14 Storm 12