Mt Smart Stadium will play host to Friday's Round 20 NRL game between New Zealand Warriors and Melbourne Storm. The game kicks off at 8:00 pm with Melbourne Storm heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the New Zealand Warriors vs. Melbourne Storm game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday July 29, 2022 at 8:00 pm
Where: Mt Smart Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
New Zealand Warriors vs Melbourne Storm Odds
New Zealand Warriors vs Melbourne Storm Preview
Melbourne Storm are desperate to snap a four-match losing streak and avoid losing more ground on the Top 4, while the also-ran Warriors will aim to double down on the homecoming factor in just their second match in Auckland in three seasons.
Following on from a nail-biting home loss to the Raiders that cost them Ryan Papenhuyzen for the season, the Storm were plagued by errors in a 24-12 away defeat to the Rabbitohs last Saturday. They’ve now slipped to fifth on the ladder and are struggling to secure much-need backline reinforcements.
Since their 22-2 win over the Tigers at Mt Smart, the Warriors have been gallant in losses to the Eels (28-18) and Raiders (26-14) but have lacked the polish and resolve to back up impressive first-half efforts. They blew a 14-0 halftime lead in Canberra last Saturday, cracking under the weight of possession and Jack Wighton’s 40/20s.
Stacey Jones has abandoned last week’s spine reshuffle, with Reece Walsh returning to fullback, Chanel Harris-Tavita reverting to five-eighth and Daejarn Asi dropping out. Jesse Arthars’ injury sees Marcelo Montoya shift to centre and Ed Kosi confront his Storm demons with a wing recall. Jackson Frei will play his second NRL game with Jack Murchie unavailable.
Jordan Grant takes Tom Eisenhuth’s bench spot in Melbourne’s only change.
A bogey team no more, the Warriors have lost their last 12 straight to the Storm. The 70-10 Anzac Day mauling was the fifth straight decided by 20-plus margins.
While Mt Smart Stadium will be an unwelcoming venue for the Storm, it will be difficult to replicate the same intense atmosphere that lifted the Warriors to a convincing win four weeks ago (against far weaker opposition) on a cold Friday night. But the visitors – $1.26 favourites – will have to grind this out in what shapes as low-scorer.
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Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Melbourne Storm to win at $1.18 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Dean Ieremia at $9.00.