The Stats Zone
· Ash Wheldon

2018 NRL – New Zealand Warriors vs Melbourne Storm Preview

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AT A GLANCE

When? Sunday 22nd July, 05:00 (UK)

Where? Mt Smart Stadium

What channel is it on? UK - New Zealand Warriors vs Melbourne Storm will not be televised live in the UK
Australia -Foxtel, LIVE PASS
Where can I stream the match? UK - N/A
Australia - https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer

Are tickets still available? http://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/Show.aspx?sh=WARR0818

THE STATISTICS

THE LOWDOWN

WARRIORS

Head Coach: Stephen Kearney

Starting 13: Tuivasa-Sheck, Fusitu’a, Beale, Kata, Maumalo, Lino, Johnson, Gavet, Luke, Paasi, Papali’i, Mannering, Blair – Interchanges: Tevaga, Satae, Vuna, Lawton – Reserves: Afoa, Gelling

Unavailable: Nathaniel Roache, Leivaha Pulu, Tohu Harris, Peta Hiku, Blake Green

  • New Zealand Warriors bounced back from their poor showing against the Panthers as they brushed aside the Broncos last week. The Warriors kept the Broncos scoreless until a consolation try towards the end of the game gave them an impressive 6-26 win.

  • Mason Lino will partner Shaun Johnson in the halves with Blake Green out with a rib injury. Karl Lawton comes onto the bench for Peta Hiku who misses out with a hand injury.

  • The win for the Warriors last week lifted them above the Broncos into seventh place but the table is now so congested that they will go level on points with the second-placed Storm if they can overturn them here.

STORM

Head Coach: Craig Bellamy

Starting 13: Slater, Vunivalu, Chambers, Scott, Addo-Carr, Munster, Hughes, J. Bromwich, C. Smith, Asofa-Solomona, F. Kaufusi, Hoffman, K. Bromwich – Interchanges: Glasby, Welch, B. Smith, Stimson – Reserves: Finucane, Blair

Unavailable: Sam Kasiano

  • Melbourne needed a 71st minute penalty to seal a win over Manly last week. Having trailed 12-0, Melbourne worked their way back into the game in a low-scoring contest with Cameron Smith’s penalty enough for a 13-14 victory.

  • Young Tonumaipea has now left the club to complete his Mormon mission. He is replaced by Billy Slater at fullback with all of the other Storm Origin players returning to the side with Josh Addo-Carr, Cameron Munster, Felise Kaufusi and Will Chambers all returning to boost the side.

  • Melbourne have now won six games in a row as they continue to put pressure on South Sydney at the top of the ladder.

THE PREDICTION

New Zealand Warriors’ strange run of form continued last week with a convincing win over Brisbane Broncos, a victory that followed an awful showing against Penrith Panthers the previous week. Melbourne on the other hand made it six wins in a row as they edged past Manly. The Storm came through the Origin period impressively and managed to pick up points without some of their star men. They are now set to have a tilt at claiming the minor Premiership but need to maintain their impressive form. This will be a tough game but with the Kiwi side blowing hot and cold, Melbourne can do just enough here.

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