NRL Round 8 Preview and Prediction - Melbourne Storm v New Zealand Warriors @ AAMI Park
Melbourne Storm v New Zealand Warriors @ AAMI Park
Preview - The Melbourne Storm lock horns with the New Zealand Warriors in what has become the second traditional ANZAC Day fixture at AAMI Park. The Storm are once again on track for another Minor Premiership, having won 6 of their opening 7 games, including last week's 30-26 victory over Manly. After jumping out to an 18-0 lead early, the Storm were off their game defensively as the Sea Eagles came roaring back to nearly snatch the game at the death. The Warriors went down 20-8 in Canberra after leading the Raiders 8-6 at halftime. It was a game of missed opportunities for the Warriors, with several goal line raids being repelled by the Raiders as they could have mounted a significant half time lead.
History - The Warriors were once the Storm's bogey side, however they have only won 1 of the past 5 clashes against the Storm. Last year they got belted 40-0 in the ANZAC Day game and they have already been beaten 26-10 by the Storm in New Zealand this year. The Warriors have won 3 from 7 games at AAMI Park and won 16 games against the Storm compared to 21 losses.
Melbourne Storm Scouting Report - The Storm welcome back Will Chambers who starts in the centres, however Tohu Harris is not yet fit to to return. Whilst Cameron Munster is named on the bench again, it will be interesting to see if he resumes his starting position ahead of Ryley Jacks after retuning last week from injury from the bench.
New Zealand Warriors' Scouting Report - The Warriors have named an unchanged side and finally appear to be building a bit of consistency and toughness in their game since the return of Kieran Foran. Simon Mannering and Roger Tuivasa Sheck appear to be finding a bit of form as the Warriors state to build a little bit more consistency in their games across the 80 minutes.
Verdict - Storm 13+
I'm not buying the Warriors' resurgence at the moment, despite Kieran Foran playing some great football on his return to the side. The Storm, having dropped their last home game, will be desperate to make amends after being beaten by the Sharks at AAMI Park two weeks ago. While the Warriors produced, I thought, a really good performance last week against the Raiders, they still went down by 12 and that was a game when they had plenty of the football. They usually give the Storm a bit of trouble, however they were whacked by 40 in the corresponding fixture last year and have already been beaten by the Storm by 16 in New Zealand this year. I think this will be a physical game and the Warriors can go with the Storm for 40 minutes, however I don't think they have the mentality to go with a quality side like the Storm for 80 minutes.