Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors – Regular Season – Preview & Prediction | NRL 2023

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

THE FACTS

When is Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors on and what time does it start? Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors will take place on Tuesday 25th April, 2023 – 10:00 (UK)

Where is Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors taking place? Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors will take place at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Australia

Where can I get tickets for Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors? Click here for ticket information on 2023 NRL matches

What channel is Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors 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 New Zealand Warriors? 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

• Melbourne Storm failed to make it four straight wins as they succumbed to defeat against Manly Sea Eagles last week with the opposition’s physicality proving too much for them to deal with.
• The Storm were underwhelming with the ball as they struggled to create chances but they should be better here with Nick Meaney back in the side at fullback while Nelson Asofa-Solomona returns from a knee injury.

Starting 13: Meaney, Warbrick, Smith, Olam, Coates, Munster, Hughes, Asofa-Solomona, H. Grant, Welch, Loiero, Katoa, King – Interchanges: Garlick, MacDonald, Eisenhuth, Sims – Reserves: Anderson, Pene, Wishart, Pezet, Howarth

Unavailable: Dean Ieremia (Injured), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Injured), Tepai Moeroa (Injured), Tui Kamikamica (Suspended)

NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS

• New Zealand Warriors made an immediate return to winning ways as they got the better of North Queensland Cowboys to end round 7 in third spot.
• The Warriors have been impressive so far this term having lost just two matches but this will be a real test of their credentials, especially as they remain without hooker Wayde Egan.

Starting 13: Nicoll-Klokstad, Watene-Zelezniak, Montoya, Pompey, Kosi, Walker, Johnson, Fonua-Blake, Lussick, Tevaga, Ford, Niukore, Harris – Interchanges: Sironen, Curran, Afo, Ale – Reserves: Vailea, Tuaupiki, Volkman, Sifakula, Maiu’u

Unavailable: Luke Metcalf (Injured), Valingi Kepu (Injured), Mitchell Barnett (Injured), Brayden Wiliame (Injured), Wayde Egan (Injured), Te Maire Martin (Injured)

THE PREDICTION

Melbourne Storm produced an uncharacteristic performance last week as they were outfought by Manly Sea Eagles and they will be keen to bounce back here. It will not be easy against a New Zealand Warriors side that have caught the eye so far this season and come into this on the back of a fifth win of the campaign. The Warriors will hope to claim a statement victory here but will have to be at their very best to do so having lost the past 13 matchups between the two. That record will be tough to overcome but even if they do lose to the Storm again, they are worth backing to keep things tight and should be considered in the handicap market where they are afforded a start of 12.5 points.