Storm v Broncos key match ups

THREE KEY MATCH-UPS IN THE STORM V BRONCOS NRL PRELIMINARY FINAL

* Cameron Smith v Ben Hunt

The battle of the No.9s has the potential to decide the game. In one corner is Cameron Smith, widely regarded as the greatest hooker of all time while Hunt has started in the position on just five previous occasions. Two weeks ago Smith broke Darren Lockyer’s record for most club games and will on Friday night run out for his 32nd finals appearance – the equal second most of all time. Hunt, meanwhile, has breathed new life into the Broncos after being shifted to dummy-half to cover the loss of Andrew McCullough. Hunt’s story has echoes of the Broncos of 2006 when Shaun Berrigan was shoe-horned into the No.9 jumper to replace Michael Ennis and went on to win a premiership in that position. It should be noted the Broncos beat the Storm in the grand final that year.

* Cameron Munster v Anthony Milford

This is a showdown between the two men who have been earmarked to wear the Queensland and Australia No.6 jumpers for the next decade. Milford was seemingly next in line after he was drafted into the Maroons side for Origin I this year, only to suffer a shoulder injury. That opened up the door for Munster to come in for game three and he played a decisive hand in Queensland’s against-the-odds series win. Munster looks poised to earn a spot in Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos squad for the World Cup, however, Milford could put his hand up with a points victory here.

* Suliasi Vunivalu v Corey Oates

Talk about a battle of the giants. With Parramatta’s Semi Radradra moving to French rugby, countryman Vunivalu has arguably assumed his mantle as the game’s most damaging winger. He’s scored 23 tries in 24 games this year — to lead the league in four-pointers — and has 46 from 45 career games. Last time these teams met, Vunivalu was devastating, scoring two tries, running for 171m and making four tackle busts. However, it should be noted Oates was absent that night. Oates returns to the left wing despite suffering a serious head knock last week. Oates has 16 tries this year — the seventh most in the NRL — and 17 linebreaks (12th).

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!