Vodafone Warriors field another new centres duo against Storm

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Tue 20 Apr 2021, 03:03 PM

Injuries have forced Vodafone Warriors head coach Nathan Brown to name another new centres combination for the return of the club’s traditional Anzac Day NRL encounter with the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park on Sunday (6.15pm kick-off local time; 8.15pm NZT).

Peta Hiku (shoulder) and Adam Pompey (ankle) are both side-lined after being injured during last Sunday’s gritty 20-14 win over St George Illawarra.

And Paul Turner, who came off the interchange to replace Hiku early in the contest, has also been ruled out after picking up a shoulder injury in his third NRL appearance.

With the experienced Euan Aitken still recovering from ankle surgery, Brown has turned to Marcelo Montoya again. He was shifted to the wing to replace David Fusitu’a against the Dragons after being used at centre against both the Sydney Roosters and Manly Warringah.

Named as the other centre is second rower Jack Murchie, who filled the role on the right edge for the last 30 minutes of the remarkable third-round clash against Canberra after Hiku left the field with a knee injury. Murchie returns to the side after missing the match against the Dragons.

Round 7 - Round 7 - Sunday 25 Apr

Full Time

Storm

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nicholas Hynes

Fullback for Warriors is number 21 Reece Walsh
Winger for Storm is number 2 George Jennings

Winger for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Marcelo Montoya
Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam

Centre for Warriors is number 18 Rocco Berry
Winger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Ken Maumalo
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Halfback for Warriors is number 17 Bayley Sironen

Forwards

Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Brandon Smith

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
Prop for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Kane Evans
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi

2nd Row for Warriors is number 4 Jack Murchie
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Josh Curran
Lock for Storm is number 15 Tui Kamikamica

Lock for Warriors is number 14 Jazz Tevaga

Interchange

Interchange for Storm is number 13 Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Interchange for Warriors is number 12 Ben Murdoch-Masila
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Harry Grant

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tom Eisenhuth

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Leeson Ah Mau
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Dale Finucane

Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Tom Ale

Reserves

Reserve for Storm is number 22 Chris Lewis

Reserve for Warriors is number 23 Edward Kosi

Match Officials

Referee: Matt Cecchin
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated: 5/29/2023 4:41:04 AM

Right winger Fusitu'a (hamstring) returns from a one-game absence while second rower Bayley Sironen is also back after being out with a shoulder complaint the last two rounds.

Another significant selection sees 18-year-old rookie Reece Walsh listed on an extended bench which features two other teenagers in outside back Rocco Berry (19) and hooker Taniela Otukolo (18) alongside the only player among them with any NRL experience in middle forward Tom Ale, the senior player at 22 with just two first-grade games to his name.

Walsh, who joined the club in Terrigal a week ago, scored a try in his first outing for the club’s feeder club Redcliffe in the Intrust Super Cup on Sunday.

The established Vodafone Warriors-Melbourne Anzac Day fixture returns after being cancelled in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic last year.

The Vodafone Warriors head into the match sitting in eighth spot on the ladder with a three win-three loss record while the Storm, after losing two of their first three matches, are fourth on eight points.

The last time the two sides met on Anzac Day an injury-ravaged Vodafone Warriors pushed Melbourne all the way before losing 12-13 in contentious circumstances.

After holding an impressive record against the Storm for a number of years, the Vodafone Warriors have lost the last nine contests on end since winning 28-14 at Mount Smart Stadium in 2015.