Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
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Do the Melbourne Storm confirm their status as premiership favourites after they take on the New Zealand Warriors?
Start date/time: Sunday 13th April, 2025: UK – 5:00am / Local – 2:00pm / US ET – 12:00am / Saturday 12th April, US PT – 9:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
Melbourne Storm team news
Head Coach Craig Bellamy is running with the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” strategy this week with his 17-man squad remaining unchanged.
Squad: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Grant Anderson 3. Jack Howarth 4. Moses Leo 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Bronson Garlick 18. Joe Chan 19. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Kane Bradley 21. Sualauvi Faalogo 22. Keagan Russell-Smith
New Zealand Warriors team news
With the benefit of the bye week the Warriors have remained a settled squad with just the one change; Rocco Berry comes straight back into the centres after battling a hamstring injury. Adam Pompey shifts to the wing and Ed Kosi drops out of the 17.
Squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Rocco Berry 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Bunty Afoa 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima 18. Tanah Boyd 20. Jacob Laban 21. Samuel Healey 22. Te Maire Martin 23. Edward Kosi
Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors prediction
The Melbourne Storm face the New Zealand Warriors in a clash of top four sides on Sunday.
The Storm fired a warning shot to the entire competition with a dismantling of Manly in Sydney last week. The surprise return of Jahrome Hughes proved the spark, and only some late Eagles tries added respectability to the scoreline.
The Warriors will be well rested off the bye. They began the season with a poor showing in Las Vegas against the Raiders, but since then have peeled off three straight victories to steer their season in the right direction.
The Storm have won SIXTEEN straight matches against the Warriors dating back to July 2015, including nine straight in Melbourne.
Star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has been in fine try-scoring form, registering a try in each game this season for the Storm. Conversely, the Warriors have averaged just over 20 points a game and have relied heavily on their defence to stay competitive. This will be their biggest test to date as they attempt to stop one of the longest streaks in the NRL.
Despite the Warriors improved defence this season, we think their Melbourne hoodoo continues for another year.
Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors tip: Melbourne Storm to win & Ryan Papenhuyzen to score a try
