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Storm
13
Match Complete
Warriors
12
| B. Croft |  | 76 | ||
| C. Munster |  | 75 | ||
| 47 |  | K. Maumalo | ||
| C. Munster |  | 43 | ||
| J. Hughes | | 42 | ||
| C. Munster | | 22 | ||
| 10 | | C. Harris-Tavita | ||
| 8 | | A. Blair | ||
| 5 | | C. Harris-Tavita |
| 2 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 1 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The Melbourne Storm will enter their traditional Anzac Day clash with the New Zealand Warriors as overwhelming favourites at AAMI Park. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:50pm (AEDT).
In a match which has fast become a tradition alongside the Roosters and Dragons on Anzac Day, the Storm will come in this year as a heavy favourite to run away with a big win.
They have only lost one game this season, that coming last week in the grand final rematch against the Roosters at home, but it was only due to a field goal in golden point, after the Storm staged a dramatic comeback in the second half.
To be fair, Melbourne have been a long way from their best at points this season, but have also put the foot down against other clubs when they haven’t been challenged, like against the Brisbane Broncos and Canberra Raiders.
Unfortunately, the Warriors have had a hellish week, injury and otherwise, and combined with a pretty poor form line, particularly outside of New Zealand, this looks like a match set to be dominated by Cameron Smith, Cameron Munster, and the Melbourne forwards.
The Warriors come in on the back of a genuinely poor performance at home against the North Queensland Cowboys last weekend, and only have a five-day turnaround into Anzac Day, of which one was spent on a plane across the Tasman.
The other part of the Warriors major problem is injuries. No Blake Green was already known, but he is joined on the sidelines by fullback and skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, David Fusitu’a and Solomone Kata.
Their edge defence will be lacking without the last two, but their attack will take a serious hit with no Green or Tuivasa-Sheck, while the patchwork team of replacements see Tohu Harris in the halves, rookie Chanel Harris-Tavita having to lead the kicking game, and both Patrick Herbert and Blake Ayshford into the three-quarter line.
While there are mismatches all over the park, that looks like being the biggest of the lot, with the likes of Suliasi Vunivalu and Josh Addo-Carr – two of the best wingers in the competition – potentially in for a huge game.
Prediction
Unfortunately, everything is pointing to this being one-way traffic, with the only real question being ‘by how many,’ rather than ‘who?’ The Storm are going to win, and the only reason it won’t be a blowout is if they take the foot off the gas in the second half.
Storm by 26.
Kick-off: 7:50pm (AEDT)
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
TV: Live, Fox League 502 and Nine Network
Online: Live, Foxtel app, Foxtel now, Kayo Sports, NRL Digital Pass, 9Now
Betting: Storm $1.10, Warriors $6.50
Overall record: Played 42, Storm 24, Warriors 16, drawn 2
Referees: Matt Cecchin, Dave Munro
>Melbourne Storm
1. Jahrome Hughes, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12.Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Christian Welch, 16. Tui Kamikamica, 17. Marion Seve, 18. Billy Walters, 19. Patrick Kaufusi, 20. Albert Vete, 21. Ryan Papenhuyzen
New Zealand Warriors
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. Gerard Beale, 3. Peta Hiku, 4. Solomone Kata, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Blake Green, 8. Agnatius Paasi, 9. Issac Luke, 10. Leeson Ah Mau, 11. Adam Blair, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Lachlan Burr
Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga, 15. Isaiah Papali’i, 16. Bunty Afoa, 17. Nathaniel Roache, 18. Hayze Perham, 20. Leivaha Pulu, 21. Patrick Herbert, 23. Chris Satae
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