Warriors
10
Match Complete
Storm
32
| 77 |  | M. Seve | ||
| 74 |  | C. Smith | ||
| 63 |  | C. Smith | ||
| 62 | | J. Bromwich | ||
| 53 | | C. Smith | ||
| 51 | | S. Vunivalu | ||
| 42 | | C. Smith | ||
| 41 | | J. Hughes | ||
| 37 | | C. Smith | ||
| 36 | | J. Hughes | ||
| I. Luke | | 20 | ||
| K. Nikorima | | 19 | ||
| K. Maumalo | | 13 | ||
| 6 | | C. Smith |
| 2 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The New Zealand Warriors are in their happy part of the season and will look to pushing up the NRL ladder when they take on the table-topping Melbourne Storm in Auckland. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3pm (AEST).
It’s no surprise at this point. The Warriors lose virtually no one to Origin year after year and come good for six weeks, by which point they are normally the premiership dark horse.
The Auckland-based club can’t afford anything different this year either, coming off the bye and sitting with just four wins from the first 11 rounds to leave them reeling beyond the top eight.
To be fair, the Warriors have been on the improve heading into the Origin period this time around, having picked up wins over the St George Illawarra Dragons and Penrith Panthers, however, a loss to the Brisbane Broncos in the week before the bye where they didn’t score a point is still a cause for concern.
The big issue this season has been their attack, and while a renewed halves combination of Blake Green and Kodi Nikorima have gone some way to repair that reputation, there is still a lot of water to pass under the bridge before they can be declared consistent.
Even with their attacking problems, it’ll be defence that they need to get right against the Storm, who will just keep coming at them all afternoon.
Cameron Smith, who has retired from Origin, will be fresh and ready to lead his side, while the impact men in the forwards – with the exception of Felise Kaufusi – will all be raring to go after not featuring on Wednesday night.
With their danger out wide, the Storm can hurt you from anywhere on the ground, and the Warriors need to be alert to that fact, as they were in a tense struggle which the Storm won by a point the last time the sides played.
Prediction
The Warriors might be at home, but they have struggled against the Storm in recent times, and even coming into the Origin window, just don’t look like they have the victory in them this time around with Cameron Munster and a fresh Cameron Smith guiding traffic around.
Storm by 8.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match from 3pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Game information
Kick-off: 3pm (AEST)
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
TV: Live, Fox League 502
Online: Live, Kayo Sports, Foxtel App, Foxtel Now
Betting: Storm $1.54, Warriors $2.43
Overall record: Played 43, Storm 25, Warriors 16, Drawn 2
Last meeting: Round 7, 2019 – Storm 13 defeat Warriors 12 at AAMI Park, Melbourne
Last five: Storm 5, Warriors 0
Record at venue: Played 21, Storm 11, Warriors 10
Referees: Henry Perenara, Jon Stone
New Zealand Warriors
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. David Fusitua 3. Peta Hiku 18. Gerard Beale 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Blake Green 8. Agnatius Paasi 9. Issac Luke 10. Leeson Ah Mau 11. Isaiah Papalii 12. Tohu Harris 13. Adam Blair
Interchange: 14. Lachlan Burr 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Chris Satae 17. Karl Lawton 20. Leivaha Pulu 22. Chanel Harris-Tavita
Melbourne Storm
1. Jahrome Hughes 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Marion Seve 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Brodie Croft 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Joe Stimson 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen 21. Sandor Earl 23. Christian Welch
RoryStorm
Guest
An excellent write up of the game Scott. I saw the first half and maybe 10 mins of the second half. I also wanted to see how somebody else viewed the game. It's interesting seeing that the Storm were going to have to get the win the hard way after giving up a ten point start to The Warriors. I wasn't sure they could do it with four players backing up from Origin, but everybody gave it their all. That is, apart from The Warriors. I don't know how they can win any game playing like that. I feel for their loyal supporters who come out to watch what looks like a pub team at times. Yet the club has so many good players. They should be in the contest every week with that line up. It feels like some of these players come back from Australia for a retirement scheme. I was pleased when Isaac Luke was coming off contract and he was offered a short contract but not as much as he was earning beforehand, particularly after how he was offered a long contract with very good money the first time round and he spent the first three years of it just bludging. .
Pilferer
Roar Rookie
Just doesn't seem to be able to handle a whole season, was ok doing the test job for 3 or 4 games a year.
KFar
Guest
He has to go. His previous win ratio was 35%....how any professional sports coach with a ratio that low keeps their job is beyond me. The club needs to fork out and sign a proven big name coach from Australia.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
I tend to agree with you. I feel sorry for Brody but he doesn't seem to offer as much in attack as Papenhuyzen and Hughes.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Harsh, but probably not far off the mark of what needs to happen.
Pilferer
Roar Rookie
Can't see Kearney lasting the season and Cameron George should follow.
Scott Pryde
Expert
I really have no idea. It makes sense that some local competition would get them rolling a little bit, but then, who knows. They just put in the same awful showings year after year, and even worse, that one came during the second half three days after an Origin game... Real problems over there.
Vivalasvegan
Roar Rookie
Scott, do you reckon if there was a second team in NZ, the Warriors would improve? So much talent over there. It seems like an attitude issue year in year out... Would local competition stiffen them up? I'm at a loss?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this afternoon on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2019 NRL season as the Melbourne Storm put on 30 unanswered points to beat the Warriors. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. I'll be back at 2pm (AEST) tomorrow for the Broncos and Titans, but be sure to keep it locked to The Roar for both games tonight, as well as the best of the AFL, Super Rugby, French Open and Cricket World Cup. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME The Melbourne Storm have pulled off a big win in Auckland over the New Zealand Warriors, running on 30 unanswered points, including a 24-0 second half to take hom an excellent two competition points. They completed 35 out of 38 sets by the time it was all said and done, and while they were behind ten points to two during the first half, they finally got enough of the footy and used the momentum of a try just before halftime to run away with it durnig the second 40. The Storm, despite having four players backing up from State of Origin, didn't show any signs of letting up during the second half, while the Warriors fell apart with sloppy ball control and poor defence. Cameron Smith was immense for Melbourne, while Cameron Munster was also strong, and their forwards gave it plenty through the middle to bounce back from the slow start. The win moves the Storm to outright top of the competition. Warriors 10 Storm 32
a
Roar Rookie
Warriors are very much in danger of missing the finals
Joe
Roar Rookie
I think this is the strongest Storm lineup apart from Curtis Scott at center. Papenhuyzen at 1, Hughes at 7, Munster 6. Papenhuyzen provides too much at 1 to be left out and Hughes is too good a player to be left out. Unfortunately for Brody, he is the weak link.
Vivalasvegan
Roar Rookie
I don't rate Croft...
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - CONVERSION MISSED by CAMERON SMITH Warriors 10 Storm 32
Brendon
Roar Rookie
I missed the first half, but if the second has shown anything, this team playing right now, Hughes, Papenhuyzen, Munster and Smith are just phenomenal. This should be the Melbourne spine moving forward. Sorry Croft, utility at most.
77
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - TRY STORM, MARION SEVE Add another, and this try is starting to blow out now. Lovely bit of work here from Smith to get them going out wide, then it went out wide to Hughes and Papenhuyzen who catches and passes to Seve who scored. Warriors 10 Storm 32
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - One glance at the stats tells you why the Storm are leading. They have completed 34/36 to hold 57% possession. Just a very controlled display. Warriors 10 Storm 28
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Warriors have fallen apart in ball control in the second half. Storm just too clinical.