League: Warriors' pride could conquer fiery Storm

Kiwi David Kidwell will play for the Storm as usual. Jonathan Wood / Getty Images

The Warriors are taking an anything-is-possible attitude into what has become the toughest assignment in the National Rugby League.

They will try to achieve what no other visiting team to Olympic Park have done this season and beat runaway competition leaders Melbourne on their own turf tomorrow night.

Melbourne, who have a six-point buffer at the top of the table, go in as hot favourites against the Warriors.

As well as their 100 per cent home record, the Storm extended their winning streak in all matches to 11 with their 18-12 victory away to Brisbane last weekend.

"Melbourne have been on fire," Warriors' vice-captain Ruben Wiki said.

"What they've been doing is sticking to the fundamentals, completing sets and putting the pressure on the other team."

With three rounds to go, the Warriors are in 12th spot and have mainly pride to play for.

But Wiki said their last two performances, in home wins that dented the playoff hopes of Cronulla and North Queensland, had shown what they could do if they stuck to their game plan.

"I think anything is possible," he said.

"We've got nothing to lose. In the last couple of weeks we've shown that, when we enjoy our footy and stick to the plan, anything can happen.

"If we do that again this week, you never know."

Wiki, who has a record 50 international caps for the Kiwis, will reach another personal milestone when he runs out against Melbourne.

The prop will clock up his 264th NRL match, equalling Storm assistant coach Stephen Kearney's mark for the most first-grade appearances by a New Zealander.

The Warriors have three frontline players - centre Tony Martin, hooker Nathan Fien and second rower Wairangi Koopu - out injured for the second successive week.

Their replacements in the starting 13 are the same as for the 26-0 win over North Queensland last Saturday.

Lance Hohaia, usually a half or hooker, will fill in for Martin, while hooker George Gatis and second rower Micheal Luck will also start.

Gatis said Melbourne were "definitely beatable" and the match gave the Warriors a good chance to make a statement.

"They play a similar game to the Cowboys and they will attack you in the middle of the field," he said.

"You just have to be physical and aim up. You have to shut down their group of players who come out of dummy half and just compete for the whole game."

Against the Cowboys, Gatis played all 80 minutes of an NRL match for the first time since his North Queensland days, which ended with injury in 2003.

He produced a solid performance and also showed evidence of an accurate kicking game.

"I just think when you're left on the field for a lot longer period you get more opportunities to display different parts of your game," he said.

"There's always room for improvement. If the coach is happy with your effort, that's a big start."

Melbourne won the round one match between the sides 22-16 at Mt Smart Stadium in March.

They will be without former Kangaroos forward Michael Crocker, who is starting a two-match suspension for a dangerous throw on Brisbane's Sam Thaiday.

The suspension follows a nine-game ban earlier this season, which ruled him out of Queensland's State of Origin squad.

Kiwis Jake Webster and David Kidwell are in the Storm starting 13 as usual, while Christchurch-born forward Jeremy Smith has been recalled and is included on a six-man bench.

- NZPA