Saturday’s NRL 2018 Round 5 match is between Wests Tigers and Melbourne Storm. The opening kick is set to commence at 15:00 local time with the game to be played at Mt Smart Stadium. The away team Melbourne Storm are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Wests Tigers and Melbourne Storm.
When: 15:00 | Saturday 07/04/2018
Where: Mt Smart Stadium
Preview:
KEY BATTLE: Corey Thompson v Josh Addo-Carr
Odds:
OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $200 via this link – Ends Soon!
Tip: Melbourne Storm at $1.42
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Curtis Scott at $17.00
More Info:
Teams:
Wests Tigers:
1 Tuimoala Lolohea, 2 Corey Thompson, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Kevin Naiqama, 5 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 6 Benji Marshall, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Russell Packer (c), 9 Pita Godinet, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Chris Lawrence, 12 Robbie Rochow, 13 Matthew Eisenhuth
Interchange: 14 Jacob Liddle, 15 Alex Twal, 16 Michael Chee Kam, 17 Josh Aloiai
Reserves: 18 Tyson Gamble, 19 Tim Grant, 20 David Nofoaluma, 21 Sauaso Sue.
Melbourne Storm:
1 Billy Slater, 2 Suliasi Vunivalu, 3 Young Tonumaipea, 4 Curtis Scott, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Cameron Munster, 7 Brodie Croft, 8 Jesse Bromwich, 9 Cameron Smith (c), 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11 Joe Stimson, 12 Ryan Hoffman, 13 Kenny Bromwich
Interchange: 14 Brandon Smith, 15 Tim Glasby, 16 Christian Welch, 17 Sam Kasiano
Reserves: 18 Justin Olam, 19 Patrick Kaufusi, 20 Ryley Jacks, 21 Felise Kaufusi.
NRL News:
Cronulla have upset Melbourne 14-4 in one of the most dour affairs of the NRL season, marred by a massive penalty count.
The Sharks rattled the premiers from start to finish but the wash-up will centre on referees Matt Cecchin and Alan Shortall who blew 30 penalties.
On another three occasions Storm players were marched 10 metres for back-chat.
The game will place further scrutiny on NRL CEO Todd Greenberg and referees boss Bernie Sutton and their crackdown on infringements.
The game was a stop-start affair with the Storm failing to cross for a try despite the home side giving away 14 penalties.
Both sides were frustrated by persistent whistleblowing and referee Cecchin finally ran out of patience when he sin-binned Storm skipper Cameron Smith for dissent.
Smith was last year mockingly labelled “referee Cameron Smith” by Sharks coach Shane Flanagan and the 13,196-strong crowd was whipped into a frenzy when he was banished to the sheds for back chat.
Centre Will Chambers was also put on report for a grapple tackle late in the game.
The Sharks ran out winners after a try-less second half with three Chad Townsend penalty goals and a Joe Stimson penalty goal the only times the scoreboard attendant was bothered during the second stanza.
The Sharks went to half time up 8-2 despite having Luke Lewis sin-binned for 10 minutes midway through the first-half and being on the end of a 10-5 penalty count in the first 40.
The only try of the game came when Jesse Ramien showed incredible pace to get on the outside of Curtis Scott and Josh Addo-Carr and popped a flick pass for Edrick Lee.
The Sharks were without strike weapons Matt Moylan (knee) and Josh Dugan (leg) but showed strong defensive resolve to keep the Storm try-less and collect the win.
