Unfortunately, it wasn’t the real Storm, with almost all of their first grade squad not making the trip, as well as coach Craig Bellamy, so not too much can be read into the result.
But even given the opposition – which was more like an NSW Cup team – there was a lot to like.
Everything the Warriors had control over – like completions, structure, decision making and intensity – was superb, especially in the first half when the stronger team was on. The moves were crisp and flowing, they ran with intent and defended energetically.
Probably the biggest takeaway was the emergence of Taine Tuaupiki as a genuine option to replace the injured Dallin Watene-Zelezniak on the right wing. Tuaupiki was a late change – preferred ahead of Ed Kosi, with Te Maire Martin switching to fullback and Chanel Harris-Tavita coming into the halves - and made the most of his opportunity, flashing across for two tries and looking a constant threat whenever he came inside closer to the ruck, though he blotted his copybook with a stone cold drop early in the second half. He also offers genuine pace, probably the quickest player in the first grade squad, though he can be exposed on the wing, shown when he was outjumped for Melbourne’s first try.
Tuivasa-Sheck was also strong in a 40 minute stint, looking at home back on the wing and taking his opportunities well, with a mix of acceleration and dazzling footwork. At right centre Leiataua continues to show why there is such excitement around his potential. His second try – bumping off three defenders – showed his power, while he also timed his passes well to set up Tuaupiki.
Te Maire Martin exhibited his versatility in a rare display at the back, while young centre Eddie Ieremia-Toeava had some nice moments. Metcalf will be satisfied with his work, which included a 40/20 for the second successive week.
The forwards were solid across the board. Egan barely put a foot wrong, the middle forwards were all purpose – especially Erin Clark – and Marata Niukore made inroads on the right, while youngsters Demetric Vaimauga and Leka Halasima flourished.
In front of an eager 23,344 crowd, the first quarter was a blitz. Tuaupiki dived across in the second minute to open the scoring, with the Warriors scoring three more tries in that period. Tuivasa-Sheck found a gap where there seemed to be none – thanks to a big sidestep, to the joy of the crowd. Tuaupiki was set up by Leiataua, before Kurt Capewell and Harris-Tavita combined to release Tuivasa-Sheck, after the Storm couldn’t deal with a Metcalf bomb.
Probably the best try of the half was Leiataua’s second. Not only was it a powerful run but it came after sweeping side to side attack that had stretched the defence on both flanks.
The second half saw a much changed lineup, as most of the top guns were rested. The Storm got some parity and scored their first try in the 53rd minute from a high kick to the corner. Some of the energy went out of the game – given the scoreline – though it was a valuable exercise for the young players – with Sam Healey and Jett Cleary getting on the park, while Kosi was given a chance to show his wares on both wings. But they couldn’t improve the half time score, while Melbourne got a late consolation try.
Melbourne Storm v New Zealand Warriors
FMG Stadium, Hamilton, 3pm
WARRIORS
1 Taine Tuaupiki 2 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 3 Ali Leiataua 4 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 5 Edward Kosi 6 Te Maire Martin 7 Luke Metcalf 8 Bunty Afoa 9 Wayde Egan 10 Jackson Ford 11 Demitric Vaimauga 12 Kurt Capewell 13 Erin Clark
Interchange
14 Dylan Walker 15 Marata Niukore 16 Leka Halasima 17 Tom Ale 18 Sam Healey 20 Tanner Stowers-Smith 21 Freddy Lussick 22 Chanel Harris-Tavita 23 Geronimo Doyle 24 Luke Hanson 25 Kalani Going 26 Moala Graham-Taufa 27 Sio Kali 28 Motu Pasikala 29 Jett Cleary
Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
