NRL 2021: Melbourne Storm v New Zealand Warriors, round 7 preview

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 25 Apr 2021, 05:24 PM

In an Anzac Day clash arguably with more meaning than the Dragons v Roosters match in Sydney, both partners in the great military tradition are represented in this Storm v Warriors clash.

It was a vintage Storm performance in last weekend's win over the Roosters, with their relentless style of play eventually wearing down the Tricolours.

As for the Warriors, they took on the Dragons at their own game on Sunday and came up trumps. Any time you end a club's four-game winning streak you've got something to be proud of.

As usual, expect the Kiwi contingent at the Storm to again have a big say in the outcome of this match.

Round 7 - Round 7 - Sunday 25 Apr

Full Time

Storm

Warriors

Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne

Highlights Latest

The rundown

Team news

Storm: Melbourne will start 1-17 with one wrinkle. Coach Craig Bellamy has brought Tui Kamikamica into the starting side with lock Nelson Asofa-Solomona dropping back to the bench.

Ryley Jacks is the match-day omission with Chris Lewis named as 18th man.

Representative forward Dale Finucane will play his first match of the year after doing everything asked of him in the lead-up to the match.

Red-hot fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen (shoulder) is out of this week's squad with Nicho Hynes promoted from the interchange to take over in the No.1 jersey.

Trent Loiero, Dean Ieremia and Aaron Pene came out of the extended squad on Saturday and Chris Lewis was recalled to the reserves list.

The Storm have won their past 12 games at home venues.

Warriors: Boom youngster Reece Walsh will make his NRL debut in the biggest of a rash of late changes.

Walsh will start at fullback with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck moving to the wing and teenage debutant Rocco Berry goes into centre after being brought into the side on Saturday to replace David Fusitu'a, who remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Jack Murchie moves from centre to the second row and Ben Murdoch-Masila drops back to the bench.

And last, but by no means least, Bayley Sironen makes a shock appearance at halfback in place of Sean O'Sullivan. Edward Kosi is the 18th man

With Tohu Harris out of the side so Jazz Tevaga moves into the starting side at lock and Tom Ale joins the bench.

Injuries to Peta Hiku (dislocated shoulder) and Adam Pompey (ankle) forced a back-line reshuffle with Marcelo Montoya moving to the centres where he will be joined by Jack Murchie.

The Warriors have not defeated the Storm on Anzac Day since 2014.

Round 7 - Round 7 - Sunday 25 Apr

Full Time

Storm

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nicholas Hynes

Fullback for Warriors is number 21 Reece Walsh
Winger for Storm is number 2 George Jennings

Winger for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Marcelo Montoya
Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam

Centre for Warriors is number 18 Rocco Berry
Winger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Ken Maumalo
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Halfback for Warriors is number 17 Bayley Sironen

Forwards

Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Brandon Smith

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
Prop for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Kane Evans
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi

2nd Row for Warriors is number 4 Jack Murchie
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Josh Curran
Lock for Storm is number 15 Tui Kamikamica

Lock for Warriors is number 14 Jazz Tevaga

Interchange

Interchange for Storm is number 13 Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Interchange for Warriors is number 12 Ben Murdoch-Masila
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Harry Grant

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tom Eisenhuth

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Leeson Ah Mau
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Dale Finucane

Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Tom Ale

Reserves

Reserve for Storm is number 22 Chris Lewis

Reserve for Warriors is number 23 Edward Kosi

Match Officials

Referee: Matt Cecchin
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:26:55 PM

Key match-up

Nicho Hynes v Roger Tuivasa-Sheck: With Ryan Papenhuyzen missing this clash Nicho Hynes has very large shoes to fill. While Papenhuyzen and Roosters ace James Tedesco have hogged the limelight among fullbacks so far this year RTS has been going about having another stellar season. It may be his last in the NRL (for now), but the Warriors leader hasn't slackened off.

Stat attack

The Storm had nine players run for more than 100m in their win over the Roosters. Nelson Asofa-Solomona led the charge in that area with 150m from 14 runs.