After a 2 – 8 start to the season, the Warriors appeared to have turned the corner during the Origin period and recorded six wins from their past seven matches, with the only loss coming to Souths Sydney when New Zealand had to travel to Perth.

Melbourne have not been so lucky during Origin with their three star players Slater, Smith and Cronk being regular omissions whilst they were busy leading Queensland’s charge to eight straight Origin series wins.

Combined with some untimely injuries, the Melbourne outfit have only registered one win from their past four matches.

The Origin trio are back on deck and with bye last week coming at a perfect time for the Storm, they should be back close their best here as their preparation begins for the finals.

They’ll have to be though given the Warriors impressive home record this year of five wins from six games and that, despite losing the last three clashes between the two clubs, the Warriors have made Melbourne earn the victory on each occasion.

It’s a must win scenario for the Warriors who, on 20 competition points need this win to ensure they keep in touch with the top half of the table.

There’s not much between them in the betting markets and rightly so. The Warriors have claimed the scalps of Roosters and Manly at home this year and will go close to adding Melbourne to their mantelpiece.

TIP: NEW ZEALAND 1 – 12

Odds comparison by NRL Odds:

New Zealand Warriors	2.05	2.00	2.15	2.00	2.05	2.07
Melbourne Storm	1.77	1.80	1.73	1.80	1.77	1.77

Teams:

New Zealand Warriors:

1 Kevin Locke
2 Ngani Laumape
3 Dane Nielsen
4 Konrad Hurrell
5 Manu Vatuvei
6 Thomas Leuluai
7 Shaun Johnson
8 Sam Rapira
9 Nathan Friend
10 Ben Matulino
11 Feleti Mateo
12 Simon Mannering (c)
13 Elijah Taylor

Interchange
14 Suaia Matagi
15 Jacob Lillyman
16 Todd Lowrie
17 Dominique Peyroux

Coach: Matthew Elliott

Melbourne Storm:

1 Billy Slater
2 Sisa Waqa
3 Will Chambers
4 Maurice Blair
5 Justin O’Neill
6 Brett Finch
7 Cooper Cronk
8 Jesse Bromwich
9 Cameron Smith (c)
10 Bryan Norrie
11 Kevin Proctor
12 Ryan Hoffman
13 Ryan Hinchcliffe

Interchange
14 Jordan McLean
15 Tohu Harris
16 Siosaia Vave
17 Slade Griffin
18 Tim Glasby
19 Ben Hampton

Coach: Craig Bellamy