Robinson Returns For Trans-Tasman
Clash

Melbourne Storm will welcome back hardworking second-rower Peter Robinson this week for the clash against the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland.

Robinson has been sidelined for the past two matches after suffering an ankle injury in the round 18 win over North Queensland, but will return this week as the Storm looks to win back the Michael Moore Trophy.

Rookie forward Dallas Johnson will also return for the Storm after he was found guilty of a grade one dangerous throw last week and subsequently suspended for Saturday?s 18-point win over Souths.

Robinson was a last minute withdrawal before the Rabbitoh?s match after Storm skipper Stephen Kearney declared himself fit to backup from the previous night?s Test match.

Faced with the luxury of having two of his premier forwards available Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy decided to rest Robinson for one more week.

?I was going to play but when Steve (Kearney) made himself available we decided it would probably be best if I sat out another week to make sure the ankle was right for this week?s match? 27-year-old Robinson said.

Robinson admits his inclusion this week will add some much needed size to the Storm?s pack.

?With the Warriors being so big up front I guess it?s good for us to have a bit of size in myself and Dallas (Johnson) coming back in to the side this week,? Robinson added.

?We did what had to be done last week and we?ve had quite a good record in New Zealand so this Saturday night we?re going to see a great game between two evenly matched teams.?

Young Kiwi prop Rob Tanielu has been squeezed out of the Storm side to accommodate Robinson?s return while Nathan Friend will travel as 18th man.

Before losing to the Warriors twice last year the Storm had held the Michael Moore Trophy since 2000.

The trophy was named after Michael Moore, the Storm?s Football Manager, who drowned off the pier at Auckland Harbour in round one of the 2000 season.

MELBOURNE STORM TEAM TO PLAY THE NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS, THIS SATURDAY AT ERICSSON STADIUM, 7.30PM (AUST. TIME)

1. Billy Slater 2. Fifita Moala 3. Steven Bell 4. David Kidwell 5. Marcus Bai 6. Matt Geyer 7. Matt Orford 8. Robbie Kearns 9. Cameron Smith 10. Mitchell Sargent 11. Peter Robinson 12. Stephen Kearney (c) 13. Dallas Johnson BENCH 14. Danny Williams 15. Ryan Hoffman 16. Kirk Reynoldson 17. Glen Turner 18. Nathan Friend

IN: Peter Robinson, Dallas Johnson OUT: Rob Tanielu, Nathan Friend

STORM TRAINING THIS WEEK Wednesday: 2pm, Olympic Park Friday: 4.30pm, TBA (Auckland)