NRL: Storm have wind back in sails as they prepare for Sharks

Will Chambers of the Storm. Photo / Getty Images

Defending NRL premiers Melbourne Storm have regained their self-belief but face another massive test in Sunday's clash with Cronulla, centre Will Chambers said.

The Sharks are sixth on the table and scored an upset win over competition leaders South Sydney in round 11.

Melbourne and Cronulla both had a bye last week and Chambers says the second-placed Storm have put their mini form slump, which resulted in consecutive losses to Canberra and Penrith, behind them.

After a draw with arch rivals Manly and victory over the third-placed Roosters on May 25, the Storm's squad returned to training on Monday fresh from the bye and armed with plenty of confidence.

"A lot of people wrote us off. Everyone was doubting us," Chambers said. "We knew amongst ourselves we weren't far off.

"We just knew we had to get back to playing basic footy which we did and got some really good momentum out of it.

"I just relaxed [last weekend]. I went down to Sorrento and I just got away from footy for a bit. A lot of the boys got away from Melbourne.

"It has a been a very long and tough start to the year. We've had a run this morning and everyone's full of energy.

"Everyone was bagging us there for a bit about the slump we were in. But we've all freshened up now."

The Storm will sweat on the fitness of Queensland Origin trio Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and NSW star Ryan Hoffman for the AAMI Stadium clash with the Sharks.

The visitors have Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis and Andrew Fifita in action for NSW on Wednesday night.

"They are going very well," Chambers said of the Sharks.

"State of Origin is a pretty physical game so you don't know who's going to get through it."

- AAP