2019 NRL – New Zealand Warriors vs Melbourne Storm Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is New Zealand Warriors vs Melbourne Storm taking place? Saturday 8th June, 06:00
Where is New Zealand Warriors vs Melbourne Storm taking place? Mt Smart Stadium
What channel is New Zealand Warriors vs Melbourne Storm on?
UK – This match will not be televised live in the UK
Australia – Fox Sports
Where can I stream New Zealand Warriors vs Melbourne Storm?
UK – N/A
Australia – https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer
Where can I get tickets for New Zealand Warriors vs Melbourne Storm?
New Zealand Warriors – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500032
Melbourne Storm – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500021
THE TEAM NEWS
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Head Coach: Stephen Kearney
Starting 13: Tuivasa-Sheck, Fusitu’a, Hiku, Beale, Maumalo, Nikorima, Green, Paasi, Luke, Ah Mau, Papali’i, Harris, Blair – Interchanges: Burr, Afoa, Satae, Lawton – Reserves: Pulu, Harris-Tavita
Unavailable: Nathaniel Roache, Jazz Tevaga
- New Zealand Warriors failed to cross the whitewash in their last match against Brisbane as the Broncos kept them tryless with the Warriors given the chance to rectify that with another game on home soil.
- The Warriors will start with Agnatius Paasi at prop after he served his suspension and Adam Blair is named at lock whilst Tevita Satae comes onto the bench in place of Jazz Tevaga who is out with an ankle injury.
- Warriors head coach Stephen Kearney has made a surprising late change to his side with youngster Patrick Herbert dropping out of the side with his place in the centres taken by Gerard Beale.
MELBOURNE STORM
Head Coach: Craig Bellamy
Starting 13: Hughes, Vunivalu, Chambers, Seve, Addo-Carr, Munster, Croft, J. Bromwich, C. Smith, Asofa-Solomona, F. Kaufusi, K. Bromwich, Finucane – Interchanges: B. Smith, Stimson, Kamikamica, Papenhuyzen – Reserves: Olam, Earl
Unavailable: Scott Drinkwater, Tom Eisenhuth, Curtis Scott, Christian Welch
- Melbourne enjoyed the bye week more than most as they leapfrogged South Sydney to end Round 12 at the top of the ladder after the Rabbitohs were defeated with the Storm looking for their fourth win in a row here.
- The Storm have named the same 17 that defeated the Bulldogs in their last contest with their Origin stars named to back-up in the starting line-up and there is very little to suggest that they will not play.
- Melbourne have won their last seven matches against the Warriors and despite the last two contests been decided by six points or less, the Storm will look to extend that run here with the Warriors struggling to find a way to beat them.
THE PREDICTION
New Zealand Warriors posed Melbourne plenty of problems when they last met in April and the Warriors will field a much better side than they did that day. Melbourne have improved since then and have won their last three with this set to be a fourth-straight win for the Storm. They have been too good for the Warriors in recent years and with a winning run that extends back to 2016, it will be some effort for the Warriors to overcome that. One bonus they have is that they have had no disruption because of Origin but the Storm know how to deal with that and should still win.
