NRL: Key picks in doubt for Melbourne trip

Lance Hohaia says he's revelling in his utility status. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Storm v Warriors
Olympic Park, Melbourne, 7.30pm

The player list for the Anzac Day match between the Warriors and the Storm in Melbourne this evening is swirled in a mist of confusion.

The Warriors may or may not play Wade McKinnon who is recovering from a hamstring strain. For the Storm, State of Origin prop Brett White trained this week after toe and quadriceps injuries and the experienced buy-in Brett Finch is sharing the five-eighth duties with rookie James Maloney.

Each team has so far this season displayed weaknesses in areas where those players would make a difference.

The Warriors backs have not been scoring their share of tries and McKinnon's darts into the backline and general support play offer much-needed line breaks. As well, his kick-return against a broken line is such that it lessens the burden the forwards have to carry against prepared defences.

The Storm haven't been scoring enough tries full stop. Part of their problem is a lack of go-forward, the rest is lack of a true five-eighth to steer their game. They have tried hooker Cameron Smith and centre Greg Inglis there but in each case that robs Peter to pay Paul, their game slipping when Smith leaves dummy-half and Inglis the midfield.

None of the above players were listed when teams were announced on Tuesday, but all three are likely to take part providing they can satisfy the respective medical and coaching staff that they can play and come through without aggravating existing injury.

Playing through any pain from his strained knee is the aim of the Warriors' named fullback Lance Hohaia, who has been told he will be taking the field whether McKinnon plays or not. He showed no ill-effects from the injury when he made an early comeback to terrorise the Roosters last weekend.

"That was the idea," he said before flying to Melbourne on Thursday. "I was prepared for it to be sore and it was. We've had an extra day off and it's fine now," he said. Coach Ivan Cleary credited the quick turnaround to Hohaia being one of the fittest players at the club. "I've always been naturally fit," he said. "And now I know what extras I have to do to help recovery."

The 26-year-old has at times been in limbo at the club - unsure if he was wanted, shunted from halfback to hooker to five-eighth to centre then fullback. He used to hate it but now, with 123 games behind him since debut in 2002, he is enjoying the utility role and looking forward to fulfilling it for the three more seasons on his contract.

"I don't change the way I'm thinking or my approach to the game no matter what number is on my back, I don't let it dictate the way I play the game."

He admitted he breathed a "huge sigh of relief" when the kick he hoofed downfield at the start of the tackle count mid-extra time was fielded by Roosters fullback Sam Perrett who was then tackled to touch, producing the turnover from which Stacey Jones slotted the winning field goal. What was he thinking? "I don't know, I just saw Manu [Vatuvei] and Denan [Kemp] outside me, two fast guys, so I hoped they'd get there first."

The Warriors need a fast start against the Storm, something missing this season and neither the coach nor players are sure why. "We've had a lot of team changes because of injury and that takes away your cohesion. The Manly game was very tough and that takes it out of you. I dunno if it's a case of everyone waiting for someone else to do something," Hohaia said.

Today, he - like others from both teams - will be trying not only to best their opponents but also to impress Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney and the team selectors Darrell Williams, Tony Kemp and Howie Tamati who will name their squad for the Anzac test after next weekend's eighth round of the NRL.

Hohaia, like other contenders, has had a call from the coach. "The World Cup win last year has made everyone keen - being part of something special."

Cleary expects Finch to play today.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy said "I think he's a pretty good chance."

Kearney told the Herald yesterday that Finch "has only been with us for three days, he's still learning the plays. Jimmy Maloney was our best player two weeks ago and ... he played okay last weekend without being outstanding, so it's difficult to drop him."

STORM v WARRIORS:

Storm

Billy Slater
Steve Turner
Will Chambers
Greg Inglis
Anthony Quinn
James Maloney
Cooper Cronk
Jeff Lima
Cameron Smith (c)
Adam Blair
Kevin Proctor
Ryan Hoffman
Dallas Johnson

Interchange: Ryan Hinchcliffe, Wairangi Koopu, Aiden Tolman, Scott Anderson, Matt Cross.

Warriors

Lance Hohaia
Denan Kemp
Simon Mannering
Jerome Ropati
Manu Vatuvei
Joel Moon
Stacey Jones
Sam Rapira
Ian Henderson
Steve Price (c)
Ben Matulino
Jacob Lillyman
Micheal Luck

Interchange: Nathan Fien, Russell Packer, Jesse Royal, Patrick Ah Van, 18th man: Lewis Brown.

Referees: Tony Archer and Matt Cecchin