NRL Round 19 Preview - Warriors v Storm @ Mount Smart Stadium

New Zealand Warriors v Melbourne Storm @ Mount Smart Stadium
 
Preview – It’s a Sunday afternoon blockbuster as the 7th placed Warriors take on the 23rd placed Storm at Mount Smart Stadium. The Warriors produced a stunning 26-12 demolition of the Broncos off the back of an awful performance against the Panthers. The win was their 11th of the year, with the Club requiring just another two wins to secure their first finals appearance since 2011. The Storm managed to win a gripping game 14-13 in controversial circumstances against Manly, despite resting their Origin players. 
 
New Zealand Warriors’ Scouting Report - Peta Hiku is back on the bench with Gerard Beale moving to the centres and Ken Maumalo returning on the wing.
 
Melbourne Storm Scouting Report - The Storm welcome back all their Origin stars with Billy Slater, Josh Addo-Carr, Will Chambers, Cameron Munster and Felise Kaufusi returning and Jahrome Hughes, Cheyse Blair, Young Tonumaipea, Ryley Jacks and Joe Stimson dropping out. Brodie Croft holds on to the halfback spot while Dale Finucane is included in the reserves as he closes in on a return from a fractured thumb.
 
Verdict - Storm by 6-14

I like the Storm here with their Origin players coming back from a spell. The Storm to me look like the side with the most upside in the competition, given their quality roster and their experience, and I expect now that the Origin period is over this team will really assert themselves as favourites to go back-to-back this year. The Warriors were excellent last week, and there is no doubt they will be hard to beat at home, however the Storm have already put 50 on them this year and seem to have the game plan to trouble the Warriors.