Gameday < 2021 Warriors vs Storm Gameday Chatter [Round 2, 2017]

[NZWarriors.com]

Warriors vs Storm Gameday Chatter [Round 2, 2017]



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Warriors v Storm: Schick Preview
Wed 08 Mar, 2017, 11:00am
By Corey Rosser‌‌, New Zealand Correspondent , NRL.com

Schick Hydro Preview: Warriors v Storm
Mount Smart Stadium
Friday, 8.00pm (NZT)

Two opening round winners meet at Mount Smart Stadium on Friday night in what has become an unofficial NRL Telstra Premiership derby thanks to a history of thrilling matches.

Both the Warriors and Storm were victorious by narrow margins last week, with the Kiwi side getting home 26-22 in a rollercoaster affair against Newcastle and Melbourne showing plenty of grit to edge past the Bulldogs 12-6 in torrential rain at Belmore.

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney has kept the same starting 13 from the Newcastle win, with Simon Mannering (neck) and Issac Luke (ribs) both being named despite failing to finish last week's match.

Prop Charlie Gubb is pencilled in to start, but will continue to be monitored after suffering concussion against the Knights, while veteran wing Manu Vatuvei is included on an extended bench for the home side after playing reserve grade in Round 1.

For Melbourne, the loss of Jesse Bromwich to a broken thumb sees Tim Glasby promoted to start in the front row, with Joe Stimson set to make his NRL debut from the bench.

Rookie playmaker Ryley Jacks is named at No.6 again, with Cameron Munster at fullback and Young Tonumaipea on the bench.

The match will be the Warriors' first Friday night home game since July 2011, when they beat the Bulldogs 36-12.

Why the Warriors can win: The right edge had a field day at the expense of Newcastle, as centre David Fusitua ran in three tries within the space of 13 minutes. While Fusitu'a's power and speed are his biggest assets, wing partner Tuimoala Lolohea has the added bonus of possessing the skillset of a halfback, something he used to full effect last week in forcing two dropouts with pinpoint short kicks, along with assisting a try with an impressive aerial catch and pass. They line up against a Storm left side combination of Cheyse Blair and Josh Addo-Carr, who struggled defensively at times last week and missed seven tackles between them. If the Warriors execute it correctly, it's a match-up which could yield plenty of points and be the difference.

Why the Storm can win: Melbourne leaked the fewest points of any team in Round 1, giving up just six against the Bulldogs. That follows on from a 2016 campaign where the Storm had the best defence in the competition through the regular season, averaging just 12.5 points against per game and missing the fewest tackles of any team. History suggests stubborn defence can quickly frustrate Warriors sides into unforced errors and poor decisions, and it's Melbourne's ability off the ball which shapes as the No.1 weapon in their arsenal heading into Round 2.

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The History: Played 38; Warriors 16; Storm 20; Drawn 2. The Storm own current bragging rights thanks to victories in each of their meetings against the Warriors in 2016, including a 42-0 demolition of the Warriors on Anzac Day. Playing in New Zealand probably doesn't worry Melbourne too much either, with 10 wins from 19 trips across the ditch.​

What are the odds: For every dollar bet on the Warriors, there have been seven taken on the Storm, who will start the game as warm favourites with Sportsbet. Melbourne 1-12 is the favoured option in winning margin, however the Warriors are more popular in handicap betting, where they're receiving a small points start.

Match officials: Referee: Grant Atkins. Assistant referee: Chris Butler. Sideline officials: Anthony Elliot and Jason Walsh. Review official: Jared Maxwell. Senior review official: Luke Patten.

Televised: Fox Sports – Live coverage from 6pm (AEDT). Sky Sports - Live coverage from 8pm (NZT).

NRL.com predicts: What better way to prepare for a trip to Mount Smart Stadium than by grinding out a tough win at a hostile away venue seven days prior? The Storm should arrive well prepared and despite losing Jesse Bromwich to injury last week, they have the better forward pack for Friday night's clash. The Warriors got out of jail against Newcastle, partly because their opposition were inexperienced when it came to closing out games, but they won't have that luxury against Melbourne. Storm by 7.

https://www.nrl.com/warriors-v-storm-schick-preview/tabid/10874/newsid/104391/default.aspx

 

[Lord Gnome of Howick MBE]

Get the beers in - Friday night footy!

 

[shuffle]

88 run metres from Johnson. I hope we see more of that tonight.

 

[RobRoyMcCoy]

I will be at the game. Can see Melbourne winning this. I hope I am wrong.

Manu and Gavet named in the 19. I hope Luke is fit enough for Gavet to take Clark's spot but I doubt this will happen (and is probably unwise). Surely Manu is playing instead of Maumalo? If not I like the way Kearney is making Manu earn his spot back and rewarding a winning team. I just feel we are more dangerous with Manu (at his best mind) out there.

 

[ryno]

Friday night game!

Will try and pace myself at after work drinks so I can watch the game...

 

[Afakasi247]

Anybody with a clue on the team for tonight?

I reckon team will be 1-17 as is, maybe Bodene and Afoa swapping (just a guess).

 

[rugged]

We need to squeeze a few extra minutes out of the bull. Looked so much better when he was on last week

 

[Miket12]

Anybody with a clue on the team for tonight?

I reckon team will be 1-17 as is, maybe Bodene and Afoa swapping (just a guess).

Final assessment of Luke and Manu to happen this morning. From what I've heard, Clark will stay in the reserves as hooker cover if Luke is picked. Manu apparently has trained very well this week and is desperate to earn his place back in FG.

 

[Afakasi247]

Final assessment of Luke and Manu to happen this morning. From what I've heard, Clark will stay in the reserves as hooker cover if Luke is picked. Manu apparently has trained very well this week and is desperate to earn his place back in FG.

Thanks mate,

If that is Kearneys call regarding Clark, who will take his spot on the bench - maybe Gavet?

By the sounds of Kearney in his media presser on Wednesday, sounds like he's gonna give Maumalo a second chance - really backed his call to keep him this week.

 

[dean]

It might come down to who handles the conditions the best. Who plays the smartest football. That's a worry for us.

 

[1995Warriorsfan]

Tonight's game will be a chance for the Warriors to benchmark themselves against one of the most consistent teams in the NRL.

Yes it only the second game of the season but last year's ANZAC game against the Storm really did show us the gap between a top 4 team and
a fringe team trying to make the 8.

If Warriors think they are top 8 team they will need to perform tonight.

The weather is predicted to be wet and windy. Shaun Johnson will need to control the game with his kicking.

The forwards will need to gain good meters to allow Shaun Johnson to do this.

With the predicted conditions it maybe worth while bring back Manu.

His experience can't be underrated for a game like this and if he is desperate to prove that he is still up to FG this could the game for him.

Going into next week's game 2 from 2 against the dogs who are now 0 -2 would be a huge confidence boost for the Warriors.

 

[janfin]

Oh yeah League kicking off at 5-30 tonight ...3 wins out of 3 would be awesome especially when the guys take it out by 6

 

[eudebrito]

There probably isn’t much between them at this point, and I know Ken has time on his side to improve – but dammit I’d like to see the Beast out there tonight.

 

[Deranged]

Friday night game!

Will try and pace myself at after work drinks so I can watch the game...

Pace yourself, do you knock off at lunch on a Friday?

 

[The Cheap Seats]

Hear me out guys....

Manu OR Maumalo?

This weather that is coming tonight is supposed to be worse than the rain 2 days ago in Auckland.
A months worth of rain in a night.

It will be a forwards game.
How about playing a prop on each wing = Two extra forwards.
Unless somebody thinks Tui is a wet weather specialist?

 

[eudebrito]

This weather that is coming tonight is supposed to be worse than the rain 2 days ago in Auckland.
A months worth of rain in a night.

Wowzers, this could be a surreal sort of game, miserable wet night games used to be a feature of the warriors at home, I can’t even remember the last one.

Once the team gets to the 40, have Johnson hoist the floating bomb into the downpour and chase. Don’t bother with repeat sets, just make ‘em try and catch it. Kick on the 3rd, kick on the 4th, just get the thing out before the inevitable error comes. Good game for Gubb to try and get the shoulder onto the ball on defence.

 

[The Cheap Seats]

Wowzers, this could be a surreal sort of game, miserable wet night games used to be a feature of the warriors at home, I can’t even remember the last one.

Well.... brace yourself. This is what is expected.
They say it will be centralised in pockets around Auckland. Let's see if the rain targets Mt Smart.

 

[scottyb]

The Storm played in torrential conditions against the Bulldogs last week and pulled off a win, I don't think the conditions will scare the Storm. It's going to be a tight game, let's hope we cope with it better than them and hold onto the ball better than we did last week.

 

[The Cheap Seats]

Jono! Where are you?
Have you run the numbers on this type of weather?

 

[Miket12]

Jono! Where are you?
Have you run the numbers on this type of weather?

He has - unfortunately he predicted a win against the Panthers in Christchurch last year in similar conditions