Round 7: Melbourne v Warriors preview
ANZAC Round wraps with traditional Trans-Tasman face-off.
On paper Sunday's night's clash between Melbourne and the Warriors looks fairly open and shut. It's been fairly difficult to get a good read on the Warriors, a stoic win over the high-flying Dragons on Sunday was preceeded by a nail-biting loss to Manly just a week earlier. Which Warriors side turns up week-to-week is often a mystery - the polar opposite of their opponents this round.
The Storm are nothing if not consistent. Even in their two losses thus far in 2021, they have given little away - as shown by the margins in those games. Add to that their stunning record against the men from Auckland - they are unbeaten in their last nine against them.
For the Warriors there's also the knowledge that player's families now have the opportunity for quarantine-free travel following this week's opening of the Australia-NZ travel bubble. Whether that psychological boost is a good or bad thing (or has any impact at all) could well play a role in this contest.
A quick squiz at the team sheets reveals some key changes for both sides. Ryan Papenhuyzen has a shoulder complaint which will see him sit out this ANZAC Day clash, his spot taken in the custodian role by Nicho Hynes. Importantly though, the vacancy left on the bench by Hynes' promotion is filled by captain Dale Finucane, who returns to the lineup after missing the opening six rounds.
Across the other side, there's a new centre pairing with Peta Hiku and Adam Pompey both out injured. Montoya moves in at #3 with Murchie shifting from the back row to pair him in the centres.That frees up a wing spot for David Fusitu'a to return after missing Sunday's win over St George Illawarra. Elsewhere in the lineup, Bayley Sironen rejoins the bench after also missing some game time - Paul Turner is the man to make way, the three-gamer also out injured.
Last meeting: Round 7 2020 - Storm 50 Warriors 6
Who to watch: With Papenhuyzen's omission, it almost feels like we've been robbed of a star fullback battle. Instead, Nicho Hynes jumps in for his 17th NRL appearance in his third season of NRL. Having already crossed the stripe once in his four games this season (one at fullback, three from the bench), Hynes is no stranger to the tryline. While the man he's deputising for has big boots to fill, Hynes will want to continue to impress and an occasion like ANZAC Day is a great way to show off his skillset.
By the other token, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's farewell tour is something special. Across the first six rounds 'RTS' has wowed crowds and viewers not just with his attacking involvements, but with some outstanding and even desperate defending at the back. While everyone expects something electric with ball from the union-bound number #1, his value in this game especially will be in containing a lethal Melbourne attacking outfit.
The favourite: Ladder position, home ground advantage, recent record - even without 'Paps', Melbourne are well supported to get the job done.
My tip: The last ANZAC Day clash between these sides in 2019 was decided by just a single point - and I'd like to think we'll see something similar happen again. If the Warriors can show the defensive steel they exhibited against the Dragons last week then they'll go a long way to making it a close contest, but even then, it's difficult to go past the might of the Storm. Melbourne by 4.
