Match Preview: Round 2 v Warriors
On the back of an upset loss to open the season, which saw two key players pick up injuries, this isn’t a match-up or venue that bodes well for the Warriors as they seek a bounce back.
After a stellar opening 20 minutes last Friday the Warriors failed to fire a shot against the Sharks in an eventual 16-12 loss, while later that night in Melbourne the Storm were outstanding in an 8-0 shutout of the Panthers to extend their unbeaten opening round record to a mind-boggling 22 years.
Craig Bellamy’s men have owned this rivalry since 2016 and boast 14-straight wins over the Warriors.
The Storm will also be aiming for a record 11th consecutive victory at AAMI Park, but they'll have to do it without injured stars Cameron Munster and Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who remain sidelined.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Storm v Warriors
Team News
Storm: No changes when the line-ups were finalised 60 minutes before kick-off, with star five-eighth Cameron Munster (groin) a chance to return in Round 3 but is more likely to be held back until the club's Round 4 bye. Jonah Pezet will run again in the halves with Jahrome Hughes Big man Nelson Asofa-Solomona will return from a hamstring injury via Queensland Cup this weekend. Kane Bradley is 18th man.
Warriors: Samoa international Chanel Harris-Tavita will make his first NRL appearance since 2022 after being called onto the interchange. The utility received the call up after hooker Wayde Egan was ruled out with an elbow injury. Freddy Lussick comes into the starting side in place of Egan. Jazz Tevaga is 18th man. Kurt Capewell is a confirmed starter against the Storm after suffering a rib cartilage issue last week. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (hamstring) and Marata Niukore (foot) remain sidelined.
Match: Storm v Warriors
Round 2 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan PapenhuyzenFullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will WarbrickWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis SmithCentre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
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Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick MeaneyCentre for Warriors is number 4 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
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Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Jonah PezetFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Metcalf
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Tui KamikamicaProp for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick
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Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
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2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Joe Chan2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
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2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell
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Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran WishartInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Tom Ale
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Interchange for Storm is number 15 Christian WelchInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Bunty Afoa
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Interchange for Storm is number 16 Chris LewisInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Dylan Walker
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Interchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Warriors is number 23 Chanel Harris-Tavita
Reserves
-
Replacement for Storm is number 19 Kane BradleyReplacement for Warriors is number 20 Jazz Tevaga
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have won their past 14 games against the Warriors.
- The Warriors have not won at AAMI Park since 2014.
- The Warriors had a 50 per cent winning record in Australia in 2023.
- Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored eight tries in his past four games against the Warriors.
Match: Storm v Warriors
Round 2 -
home Team
Storm
6th Position
away Team
Warriors
14th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
