Why Storm vs Warriors will be an Anzac Day classic

Today’s annual Anzac Day clash between reigning premiers Melbourne Storm and competition leaders New Zealand Warriors should be an instant classic worthy of the Anzac Day honour, that I’m licking my lips looking forward to.

Although the last few seasons the Storm have easily beaten the Warriors, today’s game should be red hot.

With the Storm back into the winners circle after picking up two wins in a row against the Knights and the Broncos and with the Warriors having dropped only one game this season – ironically enough to the Broncos – this Anzac Day match should be an epic clash of the titans.

Last year’s clash saw the Storm claim victory 20-14, but this year’s match is not going to be so easy for the Storm. With the loss of Cooper Cronk in the halves the Storm have won only four of the seven matches this year, losing twice to the Wests Tigers.

The Warriors, on the other hand, have had the best start to a season ever, with six out of seven victories. They look like the teams of the 2002 and 2011. The new-look New Zealand team have proven that they can take out the big teams, defeating one of last year’s grand finalists, the Cowboys, and the premiership-contending Roosters and Dragons. Now the Storm is the last challenge to cement their place as real premiership contenders for 2018.

(Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

The Storm and Warriors clashes have always been worthwhile watching for the tit-for-tat battles they produce on the field.

No doubt all the stops will come out today as the two teams look to achieve victory and put the doubters to rest about whether their season is a fluke. Both intend to prove they can survive and win without some of their high-profile former personnel.

Both teams have found balance and both are saying they will meet in the finals come September. This could be a preview of things to come once October comes around.

The Anzac Day clash in Melbourne has long been a bucket list must-do for me along with AFL’s Collingwood vs Essendon game on the same day. This year I will enjoy both on the TV.

I’m not one much for predictions, but it’s going to be an epic Anzac Day classic.

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Here are the team line-ups for today’s game.

Melbourne Storm
1. Billy Slater; 2. Suliasi Vunivalu; 3. Will Chambers; 4. Curtis Scott; 5. Josh Addo-Carr; 6. Cameron Munster; 7. Ryley Jacks; 8. Tim Glasby; 9. Cameron Smith (c); 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona; 11. Felise Kaufusi; 12. Ryan Hoffman; 13. Kenny Bromwich.

Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith; 15. Christian Welch; 16. Sam Kasiano; 17. Joe Stimson.

New Zealand Warriors
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c); 2.David Fusitu’a; 3. Peta Hiku; 17. Anthony Gelling; 5. Ken Maumalo; 6. Blake Green; 7. Mason Lino; 8. Bunty Afoa; 9. Issac Luke; 10. Agnatius Paasi; 11. Simon Mannering; 12. Isaiah Papali’i; 13. Adam Blair.

Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga; 15. Sam Lisone; 16. Albert Vete; 17. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.