Brad Inger reviews the Melbourne Storm’s clash with the New Zealand Warriors. Here’s how the match went.
MATCH TIMELINE
| Minute | Scoring Play | Score |
| 12th | Try Paul Momirovski (Storm) | Storm 4-0 |
| 24th | Try Suliasi Vunivalu (Storm) | Storm 8-0 |
| 25th | Goal Cameron Smith (Storm) | Storm 10-0 |
| 27th | Try Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm) | Storm 14-0 |
| 28th | Goal Cameron Smith (Storm) | Storm 16-0 |
| 31st | Try Paul Momirovski (Storm) | Storm 20-0 |
| 32nd | Goal Cameron Smith (Storm) | Storm 22-0 |
| 42nd | Try Patrick Herbert (Warriors) | Storm 22-4 |
| 43rd | Goal Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors) | Storm 22-6 |
| 47th | Try Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm) | Storm 26-6 |
| 55th | Try Suliasi Vunivalu (Storm) | Storm 30-6 |
| 56th | Goal Cameron Smith (Storm) | Storm 32-6 |
| 58th | Try Suliasi Vunivalu (Storm) | Storm 36-6 |
| 59th | Goal Cameron Smith (Storm) | Storm 38-6 |
| 62nd | Try Brandon Smith (Storm) | Storm 42-6 |
| 63rd | Goal Cameron Smith (Storm) | Storm 44-6 |
| 73rd | Try Josh Addo-Carr (Storm) | Storm 48-6 |
| 74th | Goal Cameron Smith (Storm) | Storm 50-6 |
MATCH SUMMARY
1st half
With all the news during the week relating to the firing of Stephen Kearney, the Warriors started the match with intent, eager to begin interim coach Todd Payten’s first-grade coaching career on a positive note. The Warriors appeared to have the upper hand, keeping the Storm deep in their own half but could not convert that pressure into points with Ken Maumalo and Patrick Herbert unable to get the ball down when crossing in the corners. The Storm look rattled until Josh Addo-Car snatched a Roger Tuivasa-Sheck grubber to run 60metres up the field which appeared to wake the Storm up. The tries started to flow in quick succession through Suliasi Vunivalu, Ryan Papenhuyzen and a double to Paul Momirovski to hand the Storm a 22-0 lead at the break.
2nd half
Despite the one-sided scoreline, the Warriors started the 2nd half strongly and were finally on the scoreboard when Patrick Herbert finished off a nice play to touchdown in the corner. The Storm responded quickly, and after Cameron Smith’s first successful Captains Challange overturned a failed fifth tackle attempt, Papenhuyzen was over again to push the Storms lead out to 20. Herbert was almost over for a double but knocked on and look pass from Tuivasa-Sheck. Moments later Tuivasa-Sheck was at it again throwing another no-look pass this time to Gerard Beale who also knocked it on. The Storm looked to be on cruise control when Vunivalu went over for his 2nd and 3rd tries and cemented their impending victory moments later when Brandon Smith bashed over from dummy-half. The Warriors showed a lot of heart but ultimately lacked the class to score points, and their pain continued when Josh Addo-Carr scored the last try of the match toeing forward a Storm chip kick while almost knocking himself out while diving on the loose ball handing the Warriors their heaviest defeat of 2020 with a 50-6 victory.
GAME HIGHLIGHT
The highlight of the match was Vunivalu’s back to back tries. At this stage of the game, the Storm looked to be running training drills, and even with an injury-ravaged bench, they showed minimal signs of fatigue. They will be hoping to continue this clinical performance into next week when they face the Sydney Roosters.
SQUADS
Melbourne Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Suilasi Vunivalu, 3. Justin Olam, 21. Paul Momirovski, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Christian Welch, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane, 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Tino Faasuamaleaui, 16. Tom Eisenhuth, 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
New Zealand Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 4. Patrick Herbert, 3. Peta Hiku, 18. Gerard Beale, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Blake Green, 13. Adam Blair, 9. Karl Lawton, 15. Poasa Faamausili, 11. Jack Murchie, 17.Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Tohu Harris, 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 14. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 16. Agnatius Paasi, 21. Josh Curran
