Melbourne has made it two wins from two games after defeating the Warriors 26-10 in Auckland on Friday night.
Holding the hosts scoreless throughout the second half, Melbourne’s control and composure came to the fore in driving rain which refused to let up for the majority of the evening.
Kenny Bromwich gave Storm the perfect start to the contest, belying the wet conditions to pull down a Cooper Cronk high ball and open the scoring.
Cameron Munster found himself over the try line shortly after and looked to have doubled Melbourne’s lead before the NRL Bunker overruled the decision.
Be there for our first home game of 2017 at AAMI Park against the Broncos in Round 3!
The Warriors made the most of their chances with the football in attack, responding to take the lead thanks to back to back tries to Tuimoala Lolohea and Shaun Johnson.
With conditions continuing to make ball handling even more difficult Storm forged forward to re instate their advantage before the break in play.
Just as they did in the first half, Craig Bellamy’s side opened the scoring to start the second 40 minutes. This time Suliasi Vunivalu made it two tries from two games to start the new season, pushing his side out to an eight point lead.
Controlling the majority of possession and field position, Melbourne closed out the game in clinical fashion with Cooper Cronk’s late try putting the icing on top of a hard fought away victory.
Melbourne Storm 26
Tries: Kenny Bromwich, Cheyse Blair, Suliasi Vunivalu, Cooper Cronk
Goals: Cameron Smith 4
Defeated.
New Zealand Warriors 10
Tries: Tuimoala Lolohea, Shaun Johnson.
Goals: Shaun Johnson 2