Round 19: Warriors v Storm preview
The bounce back factor was strong for the Warriors last week after their big win over the Brisbane Broncos in Brisbane last weekend but they will have another top 8 contest as they take on a full-strength Melbourne Storm side in Auckland on Sunday.
The Warriors needed to make a statement after their big loss to the Panthers and a tough away game against Brisbane was the perfect place for the Warriors to make that statement. That was just what they did, the Warriors turned on the style when they ran out 26-6 winners over the Broncos. Statistically the performance of the Warriors makes the win even more impressive with a completion rate of just 68% to go with more errors and missed tackles by the Warriors compared to the Broncos. The Warriors were able to take apart the weak links in the outside backs of the Broncos just as the Panthers had done to the Warriors in the weak prior.
The Warriors have won three of their past five games with two straight wins against Manly and the Cowboys coming before back to back defeats against the Sharks and Panthers. The Warriors in 2018 have struggled against top 8 sides as the season as progressed with big losses coming against the Rabbitohs, Storm, Roosters and Panthers since Round 7.
The Warriors have just one change to their side from the Broncos clash with Ken Maumalo coming back into the side after missing last week's game with a knee injury, Maumalo takes the spot of Peta Hiku who drops back to the bench.
The Melbourne Storm defied the odds last week when they snatched a 14-13 win over the Manly Sea Eagles when the Storm fielded an undermanned side following Origin 3. The Storm trailed by 7 points at the break and were still down by a point coming into the final 10 minutes. The match deciding play came with controversy with ten minutes to play when the Storm were correctly awarded a penalty for which they took the two points on offer which put them in front and they were able to hold on.
The Storm's win was even more impressive given that the Sea Eagles saw more of the ball than the Storm as well as the Storm having a lower completion rate than the Storm. The Storm were lucky to get the win with many of the stats favouring the Sea Eagles so the win for the Storm was even more impressive. The Storm have made a quiet progression up the NRL ladder in recent weeks and sit in second spot and if results go their way, they could be sitting in first spot at the end of Round 19.
The Storm welcome back all five of their Origin players with Billy Slater, Will Chambers, Josh Addo-Carr, Cameron Munster and Felise Kaufusi all named in the starting side by Storm coach Craig Bellamy.
Last meeting: Round 8 2018 - Storm 50 Warriors 10
The Storm have won the last five clashes between the two sides including two forty plus victories to go with three clashes decided by 7 points or less.
Who to watch: Simon Mannering - The Warriors veteran announced his retirement in recent days after coming off a strong performance against the Broncos. Mannering has averaged just under 100m running metres per game this season but his efforts in defence is where he needs to stand up to hold out this Melbourne side.
Brodie Croft - The rookie halfback has been in and out of the side for the Storm this year but after an impressive performance against Manly he has been kept in the squad to pair up with Cameron Munster in the halves. Croft has made 7 appearances this season and he has had an up and down season at times but he needs to stand up if he wants to keep his spot.
The favourite: The Storm have been installed as the heavy favourites to win the clash over the Warriors
My tip: An all top-8 clash in front of a big Auckland crowd has all the hallmarks for the Warriors to turn up and play a big game, but in recent times their form against top 8 sides have left a lot to be desired including games at home. The Storm welcome back their 5 origin players which can only be a boost to their side that has chalked up back to back wins and their form over the Warriors of late will come to the fore. Storm by 7.
