2021 NRL – Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers Preview & Prediction

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THE FACTS

When is Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers taking place? Saturday 19^th June, 2021 – 10:35 (UK)

Where is Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers taking place? Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast

Where can I get tickets for Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches

What channel is Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers 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 Wests Tigers? 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, Jennings, R. Smith, Olam, Addo-Carr, Munster, Hughes, Asofa-Solomona. B. Smith, Welch, Kaufusi, Eisenhuth, Finucane – Interchanges: H. Grant, Kamikamica, Lewis, Pene – Reserves: J. Grant, Ieremia

Unavailable: Max King (Injured), Darryn Schonig (Injured), Brenko Lee (Injured), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Injured), Tyson Smoothy (Injured), Jesse Bromwich (Injured), Kenny Bromwich (Injured), Ryley Jacks (Injured)

• Melbourne Storm put their frustrating display against Gold Coast Titans behind them to make it 11 straight wins in the NRL thanks to a comfortable success over New Zealand Warriors last week.
• The Storm were not at their best against the Titans but they surpassed 40 points against the Warriors with that result seeing them leapfrog Penrith Panthers at the top of the ladder and they will now want to cement that spot.

WESTS TIGERS

Starting 13: Laurie, Nofoaluma, Talau, Roberts, Maumalo, Mbye, Brooks, Tamou, Liddle, Twal, Garner, L. Leilua, Ofahengaue – Interchanges: Utoikamanu, Blore, Amone, Seyfarth – Reserves: Chee-Kam, Pauga

Unavailable: Russell Packer (Injured), Asu Kepaoa (Injured), Thomas Mikaele (Injured), Adam Doueihi (Injured)

• Wests Tigers were unable to make it three straight wins as they fell away in the second half of their contest with Parramatta Eels last week as they shipped 40 points in what was an underwhelming performance.
• Despite trailing by just eight points at the break, Wests could not live with the Eels despite the hosts twice being reduced to 12 men and they now face an almighty test to avoid another loss against the league leaders.

THE PREDICTION

Melbourne Storm have been brilliant for most of the campaign and they got their rewards last week by moving to the top of the ladder thanks to an 11^th straight win. They have been superb with ball in hand during that winning streak, notching at least 40 points on eight occasions. That spells trouble for a Wests Tigers side that conceded that number of points against Parramatta Eels last week and despite showing signs of improvement of late, their lack of consistency and quality is likely to see them struggle once again here with the Storm able to win by at least 24 points.