Melbourne Storm 50-6 New Zealand Warriors
The Storm get back to winning ways with a commanding win over the Warriors. A devastatingly clinical attacking performance as the hosts' execution proved far too good for the Warriors who continue their poor start to the season.
Conversion | 75 | Storm 50-6 Warriors
Smith adds the extras. Storm hit 50. Bruising night for the Warriors.
Try | Melbourne 48-6 Warriors
World-Class try from the Storm. Terrific vision from the veteran Smith finding Addo-Carr with an outstanding kick. The weight and accuracy is perfect and the speedster displays his outstanding pace to beat Tuivasa-Sheck and Herbert to the ball, kicks ahead and grounds in-goal. 48-6.
71' 44-6.
The Warriors ask question after question of Melbourne's defence once again but fail to find a way through.
67'
The Warriors get a set inside Storm's 20 following a handling error but the hosts once again stand firm defensively.
65'
Cameron Smith, who has had yet another brilliant game, adds the extras. 44-6.
Try | Melbourne
Brandon Smith scores a trademark close-range try this time out of dummy-half. He has too much awkward strength and persistence. 42-6 with the conversion a formality. Melbourne look the fitter team with the Warriors' defensive contact and intensity deteriorating badly.
Conversion | 60
Smith adds the extras. 38-6.
Try | Storm
The most clinical performance in NRL history? The Storm are in again! Storm's scrumhalf puts in a perfectly-weighted kick for the athlete Vunivalu and he is able to finish as ever. 36-6.
The Storm have currently had 14 PTBs in the Warriors 20. The Warriors have currently had 38 PTBs in Storm's 20. The score is Melbourne 32-6 Warriors. Staggering.
58 | Conversion
Smith adds the extras from out-wide. 32-6.
Try | Melbourne
The Warriors' set ends in a knock on with the try-line at mercy. Vunivalu completes his brace at the other end following the Warriors' failure to deal with the kick. 30-6.
53'
Vunivalu makes a handling error during a carry coming away from his own line. Score remains Storm 26-6 Warriors.
51'
Tuivasa-Sheck times his double pump, no-look pass to perfection but virtually unmarked Winger Herbert can't quite take the ball in. The story of the Warriors' night.
49'
The Warriors once again more than competing with the Storm in the forwards battle but Melbourne's attacking execution has been in a different class to their opponents.
47 | Melbourne Try
Outstanding attacking execution from the Storm as the hosts go over on the second tackle following a slick set play. Papenhuyzen, chiming into the line, times his run to perfection and has the class to dummy his way over in a 2-on-1.
47'
Storm get a repeat set on the Warriors line as a knock on offence by the Warriors during the last tackle is spotted.
46'
Melbourne enjoy an attacking set and are stopped a couple of metres out from the try-line. Good scramble defence from the Warriors.
45 | Conversion
Nikorima nails the conversion. 22-6. A slight glimmer of hope for the Warriors. Meanwhile star Halfback Cameron Munster is off having sustained a knee injury.
Try | Warriors
The Warriors are finally in. Herbert is in following a slick, well-executed passage of attacking play from the Warriors on the last tackle inside Storm's ten. 22-4.
42'
The Warriors receive a penalty and begin a set inside Melbourne's half.
41'
The second half is underway.
Halftime
The Warriors had the better of the field position and possession during the first half but it's the Storm who take a comfortable lead into the sheds. 22-0.
39'
The Warriors had two sets inside Storm's 20 but once again fail to break the hosts down. Melbourne's defensive structures proving too good.
35'
Ruthless and efficient first half from the Storm without being at their best. Nightmare first 40 for the Warriors who have been brutally punished for not making early pressure count.
33'
Cameron Smith once again adds the extras. 22-0.
Try | Melbourne
Melbourne have scored again. The debutant in the Centres is in for a second.
31'
Nothing short of astonishing on the balance of play that the Storm are 16-0 up in this game but it is a mark of just how good a team they are. Soaked up huge amounts of pressure and territortial dominance and have been devastatingly clinical when the try-scoring opportunities have come.
29'
Cameron Smith adds the extras. 16-0.
27 | Try
On-form Fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen scores off the back of Storm's first set in the Warriors' 20. 14-0 KTC.
26 | Conversion
Cameron Smith adds the extras. 10-0.
25 | Try
Melbourne Storm extend the lead once again against the run of play. Following a slick attacking move, Papenhauzen committed Maumalo enough to give Vunivalu some space, he had the pace to make the break and sold Tuivasa-Sheck a dummy to score. 8-0. KTC.
22'
The Warriors enjoy back-to-back sets but the Storm defence holds firm. They're bringing the ball back out of their own half in an exit set now. 4-0 it remains.
14 | Conversion miss
Cameron Smith hooks the conversion from out near the right-hand touchline. 4-0.
13 | Try
Josh Addo-Carr makes a 70m break. Pita Hiku was able to get back and make the tackle. The Storm, coming off the back of a lightning quick play-the-ball eventually go over through debutant Paul Momirovski. Hammer blow for the Warriors. 4-0. KTC.
11'
Perfectly-weighted grubber kick from Blake Green forces a GLDO. The Warriors remain on the front foot.
10'
The Warriors have won the physical battle so far and enjoyed the better of the field position but they need to make the pressure count.
7 | No Try
Patrick Herbert attempts to crash his way through two Storm defenders and nearly succeeds but loses control of the ball over the line. 20m restart. Still 0-0. The Warriors have had the better of the opening exchanges.
5'
Munster is fine to continue though is still limping. The Warriors are now in an exit set and the likes of Maumalo and Herbert have produced strong carries.
5'
Cameron Munster down with a slight knock to the knee. Would be a huge blow for the hosts if he can't continue.
4'
Very strong set following the penalty for the Warriors. Some powerful carries. The returning Ken Maumalo was provided with half a chance to crash over but the big Winger has been held up and forced into touch by three Melbourne defenders. 20m restart. Seven tackle set.
2'
The Storm concede the first penalty of the night for holding down.
1'
We're underway! The Storm get first use of the football.
Confirmed Lineups
Storm: Papenhuyzen, Vunivalu, Olam, Momirovski, Addo-Carr, Munster, Hughes, J. Bromwich, C. Smith, Welch, Kaufusi, K. Bromwich, FInuance.
B. Smith, Faasuamaleaui, Eisenhuth, Asofa-Solomona.
Warriors: Tuivasa-Sheck, Maumalo, Hiku, Herbert, Beale, Nikorima, Green, Taunoa-Brown, Lawton, Faamausili, Murchie, Harris, Blair.
Harris-Tavita, Paasi, Papali'i, Curran.
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Warriors Team News
Starting 13: Tuivasa-Sheck, Maumalo, Hiku, Herbert, Beale, Nikorima, Green, Taunoa-Brown, Lawton, Faamausili, Murchie, Harris, Blair.
Interchanges: Harris-Tavita, Paasi, Papali'i, Curran.
There is mixed news for Todd Payten's first game in charge with Ken Maumalo back on the Wing but the Warriors have been hit hard in terms of player availability once again with Wayde Egan suspended and Eliesa Katoa, David Fusitu'a and Lachlan Burr all out injured.
Storm Team News
Starting 13: Papenhuyzen, Vunivalu, Olam, Momirovski, Addo-Carr, Munster, Hughes, J. Bromwich, C. Smith, Welch, Kaufusi, K. Bromwich, Finucane.
Interchanges: B. Smith, Faasuamaleaui, Eisenhuth, Asofa-Solomona.
The Storm are boosted by the return of Winger Josh Addo-Carr and Halfback Jahrome Hughes with Marion Seve and Ryley Jacks the two to make way while Brenko Lee is a late scratch so Paul Momirovski will make his Storm debut at Centre.
Uphill, but a must-win for the Warriors
The Warriors have underachieved so far in 2020 which is an all-too familiar theme for a likable but frustrating club. Looking at the team on paper they have some formidable strike. 2018 Daily M Winner Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at Fullback is one of the best players in the world, Kodi Nikorima has made an impressive start to the season and the reigning Daily M Winger of the year Ken Maumalo is set to make his eagerly-awaited return for the Warriors. Their pack boasts some real firepower and aggression too but they are an inconsistent team and turned in a desperately passive display last time out against the Rabbitohs who ran out 40-12 winners.
This will be a very difficult game. The Storm are clearly the more efficient team at present and the Warriors will need to be at their best in order to get a result. In terms of the battle of the basics the Storm are an incredibly disciplined side and the Warriors must be both physical and patient if they are to stay competitive in this encounter. Nevertheless this Warriors team have the power and strike weapons to cause any side in the competition damage on their day and as long as their confidence levels haven't been rocked too much by last week's demolition this could be a more interesting fixture than some are anticipating.
The Warriors will have indisputably marked making the Finals down in 2020 as a must in terms of their aspirations for this season and if they lose this clash they will already be playing catch-up footy. It's an uphill battle and they are underdogs but it is nonetheless a match they need to win.
Melbourne Storm's 2020 so far:
Melbourne have been one of the better sides in the competition so far in 2020 as expected but nevertheless they have been somewhat inconsistent for their usual outstanding standards, winning four out of six. This game at home to the struggling New Zealand Warriors is a match they need to win and win well in order to get back on track, having lost narrowly to the Penrith Panthers last time out.
The Storm were impressive during their home win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs which was their best performance up to now in 2020. They have been for many years now an exceptionally difficult team to beat. Their attacking discipline, completion rate, defensive intensity and execution levels are consistently very high and effective. The concentration and physicality levels of the opponents must be excellent to overcome this Storm side; they demonstrated this during their win over the Newcastle Knights. A game they won comfortably in the end whilst not being at their best.
Despite being very significant favourites this is a potentially awkward fixture for Melbourne. The Warriors are a very dangerous side despite being inconsistent and are in desperate need of a win having begun the season with a disappointing two wins from six. Ruthlessness and efficiency are both often associated with the Melbourne Storm and if they play to their potential they should win this one. Cameron Smith is key. It is astonishing how good he is at 36 years of his age. His game management, guidance around the dummy half area and pass timing remain world class.
Kick off-time
The Storm Vs Warriors match will be played at the Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, in Sydney, Australia. The kick-off is scheduled at 9:00 BST 6:00 AST.
Welcome to VAVEL
Welcome to VAVEL.com 's LIVE coverage of the 2020 NRL match: Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors.
My name is Ben Long and I'll be your host for this game. We will provide you with pre-game analysis, roster updates, and news as it happens live here on VAVEL.