On the back of an upset loss to open the season, which saw two key players pick up injuries, this isn’t a match-up or venue that bodes well for the Warriors as they seek a bounce back.
After a stellar opening 20 minutes last Friday the Warriors failed to fire a shot against the Sharks in an eventual 16-12 loss, while later that night in Melbourne the Storm were outstanding in an 8-0 shutout of the Panthers to extend their unbeaten opening round record to a mind-boggling 22 years.
Craig Bellamy’s men have owned this rivalry since 2016 and boast 14-straight wins over the Warriors.
The Storm will also be aiming for a record 11th consecutive victory at AAMI Park, but they'll have to do it without injured stars Cameron Munster and Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who remain sidelined.
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Team News
Storm: No changes when the line-ups were finalised 60 minutes before kick-off, with star five-eighth Cameron Munster (groin) a chance to return in Round 3 but is more likely to be held back until the club's Round 4 bye. Jonah Pezet will run again in the halves with Jahrome Hughes Big man Nelson Asofa-Solomona will return from a hamstring injury via Queensland Cup this weekend. Kane Bradley is 18th man.
Warriors: Samoa international Chanel Harris-Tavita will make his first NRL appearance since 2022 after being called onto the interchange. The utility received the call up after hooker Wayde Egan was ruled out with an elbow injury. Freddy Lussick comes into the starting side in place of Egan. Jazz Tevaga is 18th man. Kurt Capewell is a confirmed starter against the Storm after suffering a rib cartilage issue last week. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (hamstring) and Marata Niukore (foot) remain sidelined.
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Stat Attack
- The Storm have won their past 14 games against the Warriors.
- The Warriors have not won at AAMI Park since 2014.
- The Warriors had a 50 per cent winning record in Australia in 2023.
- Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored eight tries in his past four games against the Warriors.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.