The Melbourne Storm will begin life after Cooper Cronk when they take on the Leeds Rhinos in the annual World Club Challenge, pitting the premiers of the NRL and English Super League against each other. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8pm (AEDT).
Melbourne will have a similar side to the one which defeated the North Queensland Cowboys in the 2017 NRL grand final, but without Cronk, there is a huge hole to fill.
That responsibility will fall on Cameron Munster and rookie Brodie Croft, with the former in particular now facing a huge role to ensure the men in purple continue to be a success.
It’s not just Cronk the Storm have lost though. Tohu Harris has departed for the Warriors and his versatility on the edge is going to be difficult to replace, while front rower Jordan McLean has gone to the Cowboys.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been earmarked to have a big season up front and will want to make a statement with the eyes of the rugby league world on him here, while the pack will again be led by Jesse Bromwich. The return of Ryan Hoffman from the New Zealand Warriors also adds plenty of experience.
Like Melbourne, Leeds have lost one of their big guns from 2017, with half Danny McGuire moving to Hull Kingston Rovers. The new-look halves combination of Joel Moon and Richie Myler have big shoes to fill if they are to work their way past Melbourne.
If their forward pack can find a way to nullify the Storm, then they may be in with a chance.
Former Manly Sea Eagle, St George Illawarra Dragon, Cronulla Shark and Newcastle Knight Adam Cuthbertson will lead the pack from the front row, alongside Brad Singleton, while hooker Matt Parcell takes on the ageless Cameron Smith.
Even if the pack can find a way to stay in the game for Leeds, they will need to rely on points being posted by Tom Briscoe and English winger Ryan Hall.
They take on the dangerous combination of Suliasi Vunivalu and Josh Addo-Carr, who were both at the top of the NRL’s try-scoring charts in 2017 and could cause carnage here.
Prediction
Even without Cronk, the Storm are the most professional outfit on the planet, and with home-ground advantage should cruise to a big win.
Storm by 16.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the World Club Challenge from 7:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Memphis
Guest
In addition giving a penalty to the leading team as it attacks balances up the ledger on the penalties so they cant be accused of trying to even the game up. The important penalties are ones given to the trailing team in their own 22 (preferably on the 5th tackle). Roy masters has written about this before
Memphis
Guest
Often these 2 refs give a penalty to the attacking side when the defence is under pressure to stop a try by the offence taking a kick for goal or the defence re-organizing. Simple game for simple people.
terrence
Guest
great work scott, great ''trial'' from melbourne (a lot better than any other trial in the NRL), a competitive game like that will serve the storm well. Leeds has a good dig for the 78 minutes? Good effort heading to Australia, they went well. Might put a few of the doubters over Croft/Munster off the plan. Both great. And still a few weeks to get a few rusty areas in the Storm game tonight under control (even better without having to fly to the UK and back taking 6 days of travel/recovery out of the plan...) Footy's back! That was a great supporting act, can't wait the see the headliners in a few weeks...
Emcie
Roar Guru
for sure
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Cameron Smith said 20,000 during his victory speech. This match always draws well, either here or in the UK. Remember the 30,000 that turned up to watch the Roosters play Wigan? The game - and concept - has great potential.
Scott Pryde
Expert
No worries Emcie! Three weeks till the real thing! Can't come quick enough.
Big Daddy
Guest
Spot on Scott. Morgan half and I think maybe Norman or Munster.
Emcie
Roar Guru
thanks for the call mate
Scott Pryde
Expert
Leeds were the better side in the first 15. Really should have been further ahead than 4-0. Crowd did look good. Haven't seen a number, but there is an appetite for this competition.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Good first up performance by the Storm. They were pretty rusty especially Cam Smith who played a very ordinary game. No Billy in the 2nd half but they still held firm especially in defense which was pleasing. Croft played very well in his first hit out of the year. Have to remember though this is a weakened Leeds team missing a few players from their GF win. I think the Storm forwards won this game, they were powerful especially up the middle. I don't know who Sam Kasiano replaces because all the props were outstanding...I thought Christian Welch was very good today as was Glasby, Solomona and of course J.Bromich. It might be Craig will have to choose between K.Bromich and Brandon Smith for a utility and have 3 props on the bench. Storm backline were pretty rusty but the combo between Croft and Kaufusi looked like they'd been playing together for ages. Suli with another outstanding try and it was good to see JAC show his speed chasing down was it Watson? Overall was good viewing but a lot to work on.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full match report will be up on site shortly. Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2018 World Club Challenge as the Melbourne Storm hammered the Leeds Rhinos by 34 points. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. The Roar will be back tomorrow from 5:30pm (AEDT) for the double-header from ANZ Stadium featuring the Dragons vs Hull and Rabbitohs vs Wigan. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Asofa-Solomona. "I was not expecting this at all. To Leeds, thanks for coming down. To our boys, great game, good to get the first one out of the way for the year playing in front of our home crowd - the best crowd in the world."
Scott Pryde
Expert
The man of the match is Nelson Asofa-Solomona. Can't argue one bit with that.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I only got to see the last 15 minutes. Melbourne just too good. I heard that they took a while to get into their groove and that Leeds were pushing them well enough. That's all good and well but you have to make those times count with points and then also be able to up your own game once the opposition does. It looks as if Leeds weren't able to do that but they'll live to fight another day. They are a good club. So too are Melbourne. The crowd looked pretty good too. Any figures on that?
Scott Pryde
Expert
jimmmy
Guest
They just need better defensive systems Emcie . That plus a bit more fitness and they would be highly competitive .
Scott Pryde
Expert
I'll hang around for the presentation. Who should take man of the match Roarers?
jimmmy
Guest
I really hope he is OK. He is an absolute freak of a player and deserves to get through what is likely hide final season.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Joe
Roar Rookie
Agreed, this was a weakened Leeds team so wasn't much of a gauge of where the Storm are.