Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 6 clash between the Melbourne Storm and the New Zealand Warriors.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Melbourne Storm Vs New Zealand Warriors
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Date: Sunday April 13, 2pm (ADST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Grant Anderson 3. Jack Howarth 4. Moses Leo 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Bronson Garlick 18. Joe Chan 19. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Kane Bradley 21. Sualauvi Faalogo 22. Keagan Russell-Smith
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Rocco Berry 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Bunty Afoa 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima 18. Tanah Boyd 20. Jacob Laban 21. Samuel Healey 22. Te Maire Martin 23. Edward Kosi
Referee: Ashley Klein
Bunker: Liam Kennedy
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
It’s a top four affair down in Melbourne as the Storm host the Warriors at AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon. The Storm return to their home base off the back of a dominant display against Manly at Brookvale; the Warriors have the benefit of a week’s rest and will be feeling refreshed after the bye as they chase a fourth-straight win.
Jahrome Hughes made his return last week from a hand injury and the Melbourne machine was humming along nicely with their mercurial number 7 back in driver’s seat. His combination with Cameron Munster, Ryan Papenhuyzen, and Harry Grant is arguably the most lethal in the comp, and when they are on, they can put on a show as is evident by their whopping 35 points per game average. If the Warriors’ defensive line has any weaknesses, this Melbourne spine will be ready to bust them wide open.
Warriors fans would have been over the moon if you told them in the pre-season that they would be sitting in the top four, with many pundits expecting them to struggle heading into the season, but this is exactly where the New Zealand side finds themselves heading into round 6. Much has been made of their inexperienced halves combo, and while Chanel Harris-Tevita and Luke Metcalf may lack consistency, the duo have shown plenty of promise leading them around the park and both have the ability to break the game open if shown some lazy defenders.
The key match-up in this clash comes down to the work of the hookers sniffing around the ruck. Grant is one of the best nines in the game and his craft around the ruck close to the line is second to none in the NRL. While for the Warriors, it’s Wayde Egan’s ability to capitalize on a quick play the ball and keep his side’s momentum rolling that makes him such an integral part of the Warriors’ ability to get the job done on game day. Whoever makes the most of the platform made by their forwards is likely to walk away with the chocolates.
Head-to-head, it’s not a pretty sight for Warriors fans, with Melbourne having won the last 16 matchups between these two sides. The Warriors have their backs against the wall as they hope to overturn this horrendous run of form against the Storm that goes all the way back to 2015.
In team list news, Melbourne’s Moses Leo backs up for his second game of NRL following his debut last week, with the side being the same that put Manly to the sword a week ago; while the Warriors have Rocco Berry coming into the side at centre in place of Ed Kosi.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Storm by 16 points.
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
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