Round 7: Storm v Warriors preview
Storm look to continue ANZAC Day Dominance Against Warriors
Previously, the Warriors have had the reputation as a bit of a bogey team for the Storm, something which certainly was the case over half a decade ago.
However, you have to go back to 2015 to find the last time the kiwi team emerged victorious against the men in Purple, and to 2014 for the last time they were the winners of the traditional ANZAC Day game.
It's a record which isn't all that surprising when you consider how good both sides have been over that period, with Melbourne since winning more premierships (2) than the Warriors have played finals games (1).
Unfortunately for lovers of the underdog, it's a trend which doesn't look set to change anytime soon. The Storm have only lost one game so far this year, and their average winning margin over the last 3 weeks is greater than 24.
The Warriors haven't been all that shabby themselves though. Despite starting the year 0-2, they bounced back to win 3 of their next 4, and they have been a genuine chance in all the games they've lost, the most recent being a gallant effort against the Roosters away from home in which a lacklustre 10 minute period during the second half saw them squander a lead.
With one of the top forward packs in the competition, and a spine that is more than capable of creating points, the Warriors certainly have the talent to match it with the Storm on Monday. Whether or not they actually do is another question.
In team news, the Bromwich brothers are both back for the Storm after missing last weeks game. Their return sees Brandon Smith and Trent Loireo go back to the bench and Chris Lewis and Alec Macdonald dropping out of the side.
For the Warriors, Matt Lodge returns to start in the front row, pushing Aaron Pene to the bench and Taniela Otukolo out of the side.
Last meeting: Round 14 2021 - Warriors 16 Storm 42
Who to watch: After having a quiet year by his own high standards in 2021, Cameron Munster has been the best player on his team so far this season, constantly terrorising opposition defences with his threatening running game as well as his deft kicking game. He is first among five-eighths for line breaks (5) and tackle breaks (30), and it seems that one of these breaks ends up on a highlight reel each and every week, last week absolutely embarrassing Cam McInnes, someone who is usually a rock in defence. His teammates are reaping the rewards for his high level of performance, with Papenhuyzen jagging many tries simply by being there in support whenever Munster creates something. This week, Munster will come up against a Warriors right edge which the Roosters scored all 3 of their tries down last week, one of those coming from little Sam Walker finessing his way to the line. Look for Munster to be a threat all game long.
I said earlier that the Warriors have one of the best forward packs in the NRL, and that is largely due to Addin Fonua-Blake. In the absence of Tohu Harris for the start of the season, AFB has well and truly stepped up to lead the way with his football. Last week, he was responsible for putting the Warriors on the front foot early in the game, going very close to scoring the opening try and should've earnt his team 10 minutes against 12 men when Tedesco was forced to hold onto him after making a break. He finished with 12 runs for 146 metres (60 post-contact), 6 tackle breaks and 29 tackles (none missed). These numbers are not in isolation either, he is 6th in the competition for total run metres with 1002 and 2nd for post-contact metres with 435. Coming up against a forward back led by Bromwich, Asofa-Solomona and Smith, AFB is going to have to produce another monster performance to give his side a chance of causing the upset.
The favourite: The Storm are 18.5 point favourites over the Warriors at the time of writing.
My tip: The Warriors will score an early try and hang with the Storm for about half an hour, but class will prevail in the end. Storm by 20.
