Storm v Warriors preview: Papenhuyzen, Fusitu'a, Harris out
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.
Storm v Warriors
Match: Storm v Warriors
Round 7 -
home Team
Storm
4th Position
away Team
Warriors
9th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
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.
Match: Storm v Warriors
Round 7 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nicholas HynesFullback for Warriors is number 21 Reece Walsh
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 George JenningsWinger for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis SmithCentre for Warriors is number 3 Marcelo Montoya
-
Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin OlamCentre for Warriors is number 18 Rocco Berry
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Warriors is number 5 Ken Maumalo
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Warriors is number 17 Bayley Sironen
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse BromwichProp for Warriors is number 8 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Brandon SmithHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Christian WelchProp for Warriors is number 10 Kane Evans
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Warriors is number 4 Jack Murchie
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Josh Curran
-
Lock for Storm is number 15 Tui KamikamicaLock for Warriors is number 14 Jazz Tevaga
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 13 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaInterchange for Warriors is number 12 Ben Murdoch-Masila
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Harry GrantInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tom EisenhuthInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Leeson Ah Mau
-
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Dale FinucaneInterchange for Warriors is number 20 Tom Ale
Reserves
-
Reserve for Storm is number 22 Chris LewisReserve 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:
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.
