Warriors v Storm: SJ returns; Ieremia in at centre
The last time they met back in Round 2 the Warriors and Storm played out one of the most thrilling games of the season to date.
An unbelievable finish by Xavier Coates with seconds on the clock completed an incredible Storm comeback win in which they scored 12 points in the final two minutes to extend their winning run over the Warriors to 15.
This Saturday Melbourne head across the Tasman for the return leg, looking to protect their spot atop the NRL Telstra Premiership ladder against a Kiwi side who are unbeaten in their past three games and looking to move back into the top eight.
The Storm were effective, if far from perfect, in a 36-28 victory over the Knights in Round 14, while the Warriors trounced the Cowboys 42-12 last up.
Craig Bellamy's men have won in five of their past six visits to Go Media Stadium and that one loss wasn't even against the Warriors, instead coming against the Wests Tigers in a game taken there as part of an Auckland double-header in 2018.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Warriors v Storm
Team News
Warriors: Shaun Johnson returns for his first game since Round 10 as part of a Warriors side which will take the field as named mid-week. Chanel Harris-Tavita retains a spot on the bench, while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will serve as the replacement player in his return from a hamstring injury.
Storm: One late change for the ladder leaders with Jack Howarth joining the bench at the expense of Bronson Garlick, who reverts to be the replacement player. Jahrome Hughes and Tyran Wishart again team up in the halves.
Match: Warriors v Storm
Round 15 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi Faalogo
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Storm is number 2 Grant Anderson
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco BerryCentre for Storm is number 3 Dean Ieremia
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam PompeyCentre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo MontoyaWinger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire MartinFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Tyran Wishart
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun JohnsonHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jackson FordProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Marata Niukore2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Mitchell Barnett2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
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Lock for Warriors is number 15 Dylan WalkerLock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 13 Tohu HarrisInterchange for Storm is number 15 Christian Welch
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Chanel Harris-TavitaInterchange for Storm is number 16 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Jazz TevagaInterchange for Storm is number 18 Joe Chan
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Kurt CapewellInterchange for Storm is number 19 Jack Howarth
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 20 Roger Tuivasa-SheckReplacement for Storm is number 17 Bronson Garlick
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Warriors last defeated the Storm in 2015 at Mt Smart Stadium.
- The Storm have won their past 15 games against the Warriors.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored six tries in his last five games against the Storm.
- Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored nine tries in his last five games against the Warriors.
- Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake has scored four tries in his past five games.
Match: Warriors v Storm
Round 15 -
home Team
Warriors
13th Position
away Team
Storm
2nd Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
