2021 NRL – Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks taking place? Friday 30th April, 2021 – 09:00 (UK)
Where is Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks taking place? AAMI Park, Melbourne
Where can I get tickets for Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches
What channel is Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
THE TEAM NEWS
MELBOURNE STORM
Starting 13: Hynes, R. Smith, Eisenhuth, Olam, Addo-Carr, Munster, Hughes, J. Bromwich, B. Smith, Welch, Kaufusi, K. Bromwich, Kamikamica – Interchanges: Grant, Finucane, Lewis, Jacks – Reserves: Pene, Ieremia, Loiero, Lumelume
Unavailable: Max King (Injured), Darryn Schonig (Injured), Brenko Lee (Injured), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Injured), George Jennings (Injured), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Injured)
- Melbourne Storm made it four consecutive wins as they proved to be far too good for New Zealand Warriors last week with Craig Bellamy’s men surpassing the 40-point mark for the third time in their last four matches in that success.
- The Storm were still sloppy with the ball at times in that contest but they have now posted 202 points so far this season which is the most in the NRL while their 45 line breaks are also a league-high.
CRONULLA SHARKS
Starting 13: Kennedy, Hiroti, Chambers, Ramien, Tracey, Johnson, Townsend, Tolman, Brailey, Woods, Nikora, Graham, Rudolf – Interchanges: Wilton, Trindall, Jack Williams, Hamlin-Uele – Reserves: Moylan, Magoulias, Pele, Dugan
Unavailable: Bronson Xerri (Suspended), Jack A Williams (Injured), Royce Hunt (Injured), Sione Katoa (Injured), Andrew Fifita (Suspended), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Injured) Siosifa Talakai (Suspended)
- Cronulla Sharks were punished for being wasteful in possession as they allowed Canterbury Bulldogs to claim their first win of the season in a huge boilover at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium last week.
- The Sharks saw 58% of the ball but could not turn it into points as they failed to complete their fightback from 0-18 down at half-time and they now face the daunting task of facing the reigning premiers as they bid to improve on their 2-5 record.
THE PREDICTION
Melbourne Storm showed their quality with the ball in last week’s win over New Zealand Warriors but they will want to fix their defence for this clash with Cronulla Sharks having conceded four times in that contest. The Storm are on a solid run of form having won their last four matches and with the Sharks losing three in a row as well as five of their last six, the away team have it all to do here. That is particularly the case after their shambolic loss to the previously winless Canterbury Bulldogs last week and things are bound to get worse for them here with the hosts able to cover the -16 handicap.
