Storm vs Warriors March 17th

[Surandy]

Teams have been announced, interestingly Sika Manu will start on the bench and Kaufusi and Crocker have missed out.

MELBOURNE STORM v WARRIORS at Olympic Park, 7pm
STORM: Billy Slater, Steve Turner, Will Chambers, Israel Folau, Anthony Quinn, Russ Aitken, Cooper Cronk, Jeff Lima, Cameron Smith (capt), Brett White, Jeremy Smith, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Matt Geyer, Adam Blair, Sika Manu, Sam Tagataese.

WARRIORS: Aidan Kirk, Patrick Ah Van, Brent Tate, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Michael Witt, Grant Rovelli, Sam Rapira, Nathan Fien, Steve Price (capt), Simon Mannering, Logan Swann, Micheal Luck. Interchange: Lance Hohaia, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Ruben Wiki.

Referee: Ben Cummins
No mention of which blind mice will be assisting Ben.

[nacho]

read in an article today that lima will lead the forwards with kaufusi still recovering from his knee and he will start on the bench :S

warriors are going to be missing one of their most valuble players but will still be a tough challenge with players like; price, tate, wiki, vatuvei and good youngster Lauaki

[jellyhead]

I'm not surprised Crocker's not there.  I didn't think he was expected back until Round 4/5 anyway.  I am surprised about Kaufusi being left out though.

[steaming stormer]

yeah, Crock was never going to play.  Thought Fus would be on the bench, but I guess Blair and Manu have done enough to keep him out in the pre-season!
Bring it on

[storm_rhinos]

not surprised fusi is resting, the physical size of the kiwi's is going to stress his leg more than a lot of other sides and i think  he may get played week on / off for a few games

[Bourbon Rat]

Referee: Ben Cummins
No mention of which blind mice will be assisting Ben.

Match officials: Referee – Ben Cummins; Sideline Officials – Steve Carrall & Rod Lawrence; Video ref – Chris Ward.

[Mike_The_Undertaker]

Surprised that we are overwhelming favorites. ????

This one seems like a danger game to me.

[Surandy]

The margins are quite surprisingly very strong in our favour, taking a line bet on the Warriors looks like a very good bet.

On the Crock, I was a bit surprised as I hadn't kept up to date on his recovery. Good to see Blair back in the side, I hope he can live up to the promise he showed in 2006.

It'll be interesting to see how Aitken goes in the number 6, I thought we played best with him on the field during the WCC.

[storm_rhinos]

This will be closer than most people think as we are going to miss the go forward with a few out, that being said the warriors have a few out also.  Its one of the few teams Izzy cant really out muscle in the air , perhaps it will come dow to speed and endurance, especialy as the days going to be mid to high 30's on the long range forecast, tire the old kiwi's out in the form of Price and Wiki - the interchange reduction will hurt them. Interesting to see Bellyaches interview on fox tonight, he correctly pointed out our average age is still something like 23 still one of the youngest sides in the comp and if you take Boofa out that drops even more...good signs for long term stability long as we can hang on to them

[Bourbon Rat]

The magic phrase "long as we can hang on to them"

For all the talk 'North of the border" about them ALL having good junior bases & Melbourne,(Victoria) not having one,why is it that Storm trained juniors are offered silly money by those same clubs 

[KimmorleyKiller]

Its one of the few teams Izzy cant really out muscle in the air

There isn't a team on earth Issy can't out muscle, we saw that when the Kiwis took on Melbourne in the post-season test last year

All we need to do is kick it to Vatuvai and we'll win the game.

[mrpc]

Anyone know if they plan on having the roof open or closed at Docklands Stadium tomorrow?

[nacho]

i hope its open, gonna  be a hot one tomorow aswel!

chances are that it wil be open as it was open all night for the victory game on wednesday

[steaming stormer]

i'm assuming open due to the fireworks and things they are talking about pre-match

[Buzz]

Previous times we have played have been under the NRL rules of a closed roof. Not sure if that policy exists. Guess we'll find out in 17 hours time!