Storm won’t change NRL tactics: Green

Melbourne’s Blake Green has shrugged off criticism of his NRL team’s wrestling tactics, saying nothing has changed.

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson said referees allowed the Storm to wrestle at the ruck to slow down the ball during the minor premiers’ 20-18 loss last weekend in their qualifying final.

Sharks captain Paul Gallen went as far as to say when his team were strangled out of a late-season game that if the Storm were allowed to wrestle, they would win the competition.

But Melbourne are unfazed by the comments, with Green saying it was nothing new and his side hadn’t changed their approach.

He said the only difference was that his side had identified the need to improve their contact work.

“Over the last four or five weeks, our contact has been quite good and aggressive and we’ve had some good line speed,” Green said.

“I think that’s the main reason why this wrestling issue has raised its head – we’ve been really effective in what we’ve been doing.”

The Storm have taken the past three days off and say they will utilise the week’s break, while their preliminary final opponent is decided from this weekend’s elimination final between North Queensland and Cronulla.

“Craig’s (Bellamy) not going to treat it as a week off,” Green said.

“We’ve got some down time after some tough games but we’ll be training at the same high intensity that we do every week.”

The break means injured winger Marika Koroibete is set to take his place in the match to decide one of this season’s grand finalists.

Koroibete suffered a deep gash to his achilles but Storm staff were confident he would be fit to play.

Green helped Wigan to the Super League title in 2013 before joining the Storm this season and said the experience was vital come NRL finals time.

“It’s a bit different over there as the crowds are really intense and the English fans tend to sing and give you their opinion,” Green said.

“I’m really lucky I was a part of playing finals for the last two seasons with Wigan as it’s given me some experience coming into these games with some big crowds and big occasions.

“Hopefully, that will put me in good stead for the next couple of weeks.”

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