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KEY POINTS:
The Storm blew into town late yesterday to prepare for their pre-season workout against the Warriors with five internationals but without backline stars Greg Inglis and Billy Slater.
They are three weeks back in training after being rested following the arduous 2008 NRL campaign that ended 40-0 against Manly and then the World Cup defeat at the hands of the Kiwis. Also left behind are rising star Will Chambers as well as Kiwis props Adam Blair and Jeff Lima.
State of Origin prop Brett White (big toe) and wing Anthony Quinn (Achilles) are still repairing after surgery. Halfback Cooper Cronk would have still been in Melbourne too had it not been for the sacking last week of wayward talent Arana Taumata.
Cronk is the only "name" in the Melbourne backline for the pre-season game against the Warriors in Hamilton tomorrow night, with Wellington-bred utility Joseph Tomane of most interest among the rest.
In the forward pack are Kiwis 2008 test player Sika Manu and former Warrior and Kiwi Wairangi Koopu, whose league career began in nearby Ngaruawahia, as well as Kangaroos Dallas Johnson and Ryan Hoffman, who has recovered from off-season ankle surgery.
Hoffman, 25, who debuted for the Storm in 2003, has just re-signed with the club through to 2013.
Coach Craig Bellamy's decision to agree to terms to stay until then has prompted a rash of long-term signings including those of Cronk and Inglis (2013), Johnson (2012), captain Cameron Smith (2012) and Kiwis forwards Lima and Blair, plus Quinn (all to 2011). Slater who is signed to 2010 but has an out-clause is the next target.
The Storm have lost top backrow performers in Kiwi Jeremy Smith (Dragons) and Kangaroo Michael Crocker (Hull) as well as dynamic wing/centre Israel Folau (Broncos). They are fielding under-20s players they hope will stand up.
The Warriors have most of their top squad available. Former Cowboy Jacob Lillyman is recovering after shoulder surgery and will not play and neither will Evarn Tuimavave (neck) nor Michael Witt (thigh).
Not all of the rest of those named will get a run but among those who definitely will is 11-year halfback Stacey Jones, who makes his return after two years in France and spending 2008 as an assistant to the Warriors coaches.
For once in the club's history there is competition in the halves with Jones against 2008 half Nathan Fien and under-20s prospects Daniel O'Regan and Isaac John, plus new boys Joel Moon (Broncos) and Liam Foran (Storm) up against Witt for the five-eighths berth.
The game, kick-off 7.30pm, will be played with a drinks break during play in each half and teams allowed the make-free interchange.
Warriors: Leeson Ah Mau, Patrick Ah Van, Nathan Fien, Liam Foran, Ian Henderson, Aaron Heremaia, Lance Hohaia, Isaac John, Stacey Jones, Denan Kemp, Aidan Kirk, Epalahame Lauaki, Kevin Locke, Micheal Luck, Wade McKinnon, Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Joel Moon, Daniel O'Regan, Russell Packer, Mataupu Poching, Steve Price, Sam Rapira, Herman Retzlaff, Jerome Ropati, Malo Solomona, Ukuma Ta'ai, Brent Tate, Elijah Taylor, Manu Vatuvei.
Storm: Brett Anderson, Dane Nielsen, Willie Isa, Joseph Tomane, Andre Itula, James Maloney, Cooper Cronk, Scott Anderson, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Louis Fanene, Sika Manu, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson, Hep Cahill, Sam Joe, Jade Williams, Wairangi Koopu, Kevin Proctor, Clifford Manua, Matt Cross, Zeb Tahwa, Dane Chisholm.
