The Stats Zone
July 27 2018, 17:15 · Ash Wheldon

2018 NRL – Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders Preview

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AT A GLANCE

When? Saturday 28th July, 10:35 (UK)

Where? AAMI Park

What channel is it on? UK - Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders will not be televised live in the UK
Australia - Foxtel, LIVE PASS

Where can I stream the match? UK - N/A
Australia - https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer

Are tickets still available? http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=STORM2018

THE STATISTICS

THE LOWDOWN

STORM

Head Coach: Craig Bellamy

Starting 13: Slater, Vunivalu, Chambers, Scott, Addo-Carr, Munster, Hughes, J. Bromwich, C. Smith, Asofa-Solomona, F. Kaufusi, K. Bromwich, Finucane – Interchanges: Glasby, Welch, Stimson, Vete – Reserves: Croft, Blair

Unavailable: Sam Kasiano, Ryan Hoffman

  • Melbourne produced a typical performance to seal a brilliant win away at New Zealand Warriors. Cameron Smith kicked two second half penalties to seal the win in a superb contest with the Storm hanging on 6-12.

  • Ryan Hoffman is a late scrub so Kenny Bromwich comes into the second row having initially been named on the bench. Albert Vete comes onto the bench.

  • Melbourne’s win last week was their seventh consecutive victory and they now top the NRL ladder ahead of St George and South Sydney with all three sitting on 28 competition points.

RAIDERS

Head Coach: Ricky Stuart

Starting 13: Abbey, Oldfield, Cotric, Leilua, Rapana, Austin, Williams, Lui, Hodgson, Paulo, Tapine, Whitehead, Papalii – Interchanges: Knight, Bateman, Havili, Soliola – Reserves: Murchie, Guler

Unavailable: Jack Wighton, Shannon Boyd, Jarrod Croker, Aidan Sezer

  • Canberra suffered a controversial loss at the hands of Cronulla last week, a defeat that could end their hopes of claiming a spot in the play-offs. The Sharks benefitted from a hugely contentious call which ultimately resulted in them claiming a 28-24 win.

  • Joe Tapine returns from a ban with him coming into the second row which sees Sia Soliola drop to the bench and Jack Murchie going into the reserves. Nick Cotric and Michael Oldfield have swapped positions with Cotric going in at centre and Oldfield reverting to the wing.

  • After winning back-to-back games to put them within four points of the play-offs, last week’s defeat was a tough pill to swallow for the Raiders with them now sitting six points away which is probably too much to overturn at this stage of the season.

THE PREDICTION

Melbourne rose to the top of the NRL ladder with a tough win over New Zealand Warriors last week. Neither side was able to cross the whitewash in the second half but the Storm did enough to claim the win. They now face a Canberra side that will feel they were robbed of a win last week. The Raiders had come right back into the game against the Sharks and were on top when a hugely controversial try was awarded to the Sharks that ultimately gave them the win and with it, effectively ended the Raiders’ charge towards the play-offs. That loss may have a knock-on effect this week with the Storm able to capitalise and retain their place at the top of the ladder.