Storm v Warriors
Kickoff: 4pm Sunday, 13 April
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
History
Much has been made of the 16-game losing streak facing the Warriors, as they take on the perennial premiership contenders. The Auckland side haven't tasted success against the Storm since 2015, before any of the current roster plied their trade at Mt Smart.
NRL legend Andrew Johns drew social media derision with his claim that the Warriors were a bogey side for Melbourne and that may well have been true in his days as a player. They have won some memorable victories, including playoff wins in 2008 and 2011, the latter earning them a sport in the Grand Final against Manly.
The rivals have met 52 times, since Melbourne entered the competition in 1997, with the Storm holding a 34-16 edge, with two draws. Surprisingly, most of Melbourne's wins (18) have come away from home.
The Warriors have suffered some heavy losses over the course of their rivalry, conceding a half-century of points four times, including a horrendous 70-10 Anzac Day result three years ago.
They met twice last season, with only a miracle last-minute try from winger Xavier Coates getting the Storm across the line at home in Round Two.
Last June, the Warriors again pushed their opponents hard at Go Media Stadium, trailing 20-18 soon after halftime, but with winger Marcelo Montoya in the sin bin, the Storm scored two converted tries that swung momentum back their way in a 38-24 win.
Warriors fans make their presence felt at Campbelltown against Wests. Photo: NRL/www.photosport.nz
Form
On paper, this fixture should be the most even of the weekend, pitting the third-placed Storm against the fourth-placed Warriors.
Since their disappointing defeat to Canberra Raiders at Las Vegas in their season-opener, the Warriors have turned their campaign around with three straight wins against Manly, Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers, before last week's bye.
They haven't dominated any of those teams, but rather ground them into submission. Significantly, they have outscored those opponents 30-0 over the final 20 minutes of the three wins.
Melbourne also enter the contest with a 3-1 record, including victory over four-time defending champions Penrith Panthers in a rematch of last year's grand finalists. Their only loss came against St George Dragons, 14-8 in Round Four.
Teams
Warriors: 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Taine Tuaupiki, 3 Rocco Berry, 4 Ali Leiataua, 5 Adam Pompey, 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Luke Metcalf, 8 James Fisher-Harris, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Mitch Barnett, 11 Kurt Capewell, 12 Marata Niukore, 13 Erin Clark
Interchange: 14 Bunty Afoa, 15 Jackson Ford, 16 Demetric Vaimauga, 17 Leka Halasima
Reserves: 18 Tanah Boyd, 20 Jacob Laban
With wingers Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring) and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (wrist) sidelined a few more weeks, coach Andrew Webster has stuck with the starting line-up he named against Wests two weeks ago, but was forced to change, when centre Rocco Berry tweaked a hamstring in the build-up.
Berry is again named for his season debut, with Adam Pompey moved out to wing.
The only other change may prove fateful in the longer term, with Te Maire Martin - off contract and reportedly looking offshore next season - losing the No.18 jersey to newcomer Tanah Boyd, while forward Jacob Laban also remains in contention for late inclusion.
Lock Erin Clark will appear in his 100th NRL game.
Storm: 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2 Grant Anderson, 3 Jack Howarth, 4 Moses Leo, 5 Xavier Coates, 6 Cam Munster, 7 Jahrome Hughes, 8 Stefano Utoikamanu, 9 Harry Grant, 10 Josh King, 11 Shawn Blore, 12 Eliesa Katoa, 13 Trent Loiero
Interchange: 14 Tyran Wishart, 15 Alex MacDonald, 16 Tui Kamikamica, 17 Bronson Garlick
Reserves: 18 Joe Chan, 19 Kane Bradley
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has also stuck with the team that overran Manly, with fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen and Coates seemingly recovered from injuries that saw them leave the field seven days ago.
Kiwis Will Warbrick and Nelson Asofa-Solomona both miss another game with concussion symptoms.
Coates has scored 10 tries in his last six outings against the Warriors.
Kiwi to watch
Obviously, reigning Dally M Medallist Jahrome Hughes will have a major influence on this contest, but perhaps the most interest will centre on former All Blacks Sevens star Moses Leo, who made his NRL debut at centre last week and retains his spot against the Warriors.
Moses Leo scores a try for New Zealand at the Paris Olympics sevens. Photo: Iain McGregor/www.photosport.nz
He ran six times for 63 metres and missed seven tackles, so he will need to show some improvement, if he wants to stay on the park, once Warbrick returns.
TAB Odds
Melbourne Storm $1.15, NZ Warriors $5.60
What will happen
The Warriors have spun a 'new year, new team' line all week, determined to reverse history, but Melbourne are starting to hum and the visitors will need to be at their best to prevail across the ditch.
If they can stop the slide, this may indeed by the Warriors' year ... but Storm to win by double figures.
Where to watch
Sky Sport 1 at 3pm.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
