The final game on NRL Saturday heads south to Melbourne, with the Storm hosting the Warriors. Usually reserved for ANZAC Day, this match has shifted to earlier in the season. The Storm take winning form into this game following a strong performance last week. Meanwhile, the Warriors will be desperate to bounce back following a loss to open their season. Both teams can play Finals at the end of the year, so the stage is set for a blockbuster NRL clash.
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NRL Round 2 Preview & Betting Tips
Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors
AAMI Park – Saturday 16th March – 7:35pm (AEST)
Match preview
The Storm kept alive their amazing 23-year record of winning opening matches of the NRL season with a gritty 8-nil victory over the Panthers. Missing Munster, they headed into the game as outsiders and played like they were the better team throughout the contest. Absorbing a lot of pressure, especially in the last 15 minutes, their defence held strong. It was a performance built on grit and determination, as they overcame an inferior completion rate (68%), made just 1 line break and missed 32 tackles.
The Warriors were defeated by the Sharks in front of a sell-out crowd, leaving fans worried that the Warriors had returned to old habits. Jumping to a 12-nil lead, inside 13 minutes, they failed to score another point from that moment, with the Sharks controlling proceedings. Even with a greater share of possession (54%) and a superior completion rate (81%), they dominated just about every area, other than the scoreboard. Perhaps they found themselves outplayed by a team who ‘wanted it more’; it is not time to panic, and this road trip will test them on the back of last week’s loss.
Match prediction
This game looks set to be a tight contest between two quality teams. The Storm proved last week just what they are capable of; as positive as that victory was, their opponents were still not at their best. The real test will be how the Warriors bounce back following a disappointing showing. They are a better team than that. The odds suggest that they will find it difficult though, with the Storm listed as favourites ($1.45 vs $2.75).
History is not kind to the visitors either; the last time they defeated the Storm was Round 18, 2015 and the last time they won in Melbourne was Round 8, 2014. The Warriors have a poor 23% strike rate at this ground compared to the Storms 75%. Such is the recent improvement in the Warriors though, the past two games have been decided by less than 10 points, whereas the previous 3 before that saw an average margin of 25.6 points.
This game looks set to be the same; a tight, arm-wrestle between two packs who will be desperate to assert their dominance. The fact that Munster and Asofa-Solomona are missing brings the Storm back to their opponents somewhat too.
Either team by 10 points or less
$2 (1.5 Units)
