Warriors

Melbourne Storm have locked in their final line-up for the Club's Pre-season Challenge against the One NZ Warriors at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch.

Webster has plenty to weigh up for his best 17 ahead of the NRL season opener.

Unfortunately, as we know in rugby league there could be injuries or whatever so everyone has to have the attitude that are trying to have a crack at round one.” “The guys need to nail their performance, based on what they have been doing at training. ”Dylan’s strengths are playing lock forward off the bench and terrorising tired forwards — then you add in his utility value,” said Webster. [They] have to be super competitive against a really good team and put into place what we have practised.” “I’m not saying he won’t play there but the plan is that the centres we have got, they lock down a spot and say ‘this is mine’.” “There are maybe 10 guys that have earned that right and then there is another group that has to go out there and fight for it.

TEAM NEWS: Late Mail - Two changes to the starting lineup for the Storm with #20 Xavier Coates starting on the wing in place of #5 Grant Anderson and #15 ...

He became a fan favourite at Mt Smart Stadium, but admits it wasn't a smooth transition to the Wests Tigers.

He had agreed terms with the Tigers just before the Warriors’ were due to play the Storm and as is usually the case was stood down for the game. "But there’s the saying that everything happens for a reason. Even though the Warriors lost 42-16, Maumalo scored a hat-trick and was in tears afterwards. I’m always proud of the fans in New Zealand.” He is particularly happy to team up with Marshall again. “It had its challenges, but we’ve got used to it. “He’s still the same Benji he was when he was playing and he has that aura about him that whenever he speaks, everyone listens.” “I played with him [at the Kiwis] when he was able to play and now him being on the other side of the fence and part of the coaching staff, he hasn’t really changed much. But moving to a club that went into a downwards spiral didn’t initially feel like a new start for Maumalo and in 2022 it was worse as the Tigers won just four times. It was one of the greatest farewells ever by a Warriors player and it made him someone who’ll always be remembered fondly by the club’s fans and that means a lot to him. Maumalo’s final game for the Warriors was on June 13, 2021, it was a special one and it showed how much the club meant to him. The Tigers were in free fall for the remainder of last season, losing their last four games, including a 72-6 defeat to the Roosters and a 56-10 loss to the Raiders.

The Warriors headed to New Zealand's South Island needing to beat Melbourne and rack up a few statistics to steal the Pre-Season Challenge winner's cheque ...

Former Eels forward Marata Niukore is just what the Warriors need. Advertisement

The Warriors were solid in their final NRL trial matching the Storm for long periods.

The Storm lifted, but the Warriors had an answer, continuing to repel the Victorian team, with a mix of solid structure and pure effort. Just as the Storm looked to be clicking into gear – with two impressive attacking sets – the Warriors struck, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak bursting through the heart of the defence from a quick scrum play in the 25th minute. The pace of the match was brutal, as was the contact, on a hot Christchurch afternoon.

At Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch: Melbourne Storm 24 (Eliesa Katoa, Will Warbrick, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Xavier Coates tries; Nick Meany 2, ...

A lot of unforced errors, as you’d expect at this stage of the season, but an even and willing encounter throughout. Shaun Johnson added the extras for 6-0. “Parts of it were. * HT: Warriors 6-0.

The Storm scored 24 unanswered points in the second half to beat the Warriors 24-6 in an at times error-ridden Pre-season Challenge clash in Christchurch on ...

The Storm will open the 2023 season with a Thursday night clash against the Eels at CommBank Stadium. "First half was a real struggle. [Craig Bellamy] was just a bit disappointed because we spoke about it all week. I think that told by the end of the game, just fatigue levels, you can't keep defending your line when you make those errors." we just continued to make unforced errors. He did his chances no harm with this impressive four-pointer, which showed off his athleticism and power.

A disjointed Melbourne have plenty to work on ahead of their NRL season opener but one new rising star shone in a 24-6 win over the Warriors.

Melbourne guns Harry Grant and Cameron Munster found cohesion in the second stanza that they lacked in the first to provide touches of class to get the Storm home. Melbourne signed former Warriors second-rower Eliesa Katoa in the off-season and he showcased his enormous upside with a blockbusting try in the second half. The Storm made 13 errors in the match have plenty to work on ahead of the NRL season opener on March 1 against Parramatta.

TEAM NEWS: 24 Hours - Several changes for the Warriors from the side originally named. Viliami Vailea replaces Adam Pompey at centre, while Te Maire Martin will ...

Former All Blacks Sevens star Will Warbrick starred for the Melbourne Storm in a disjointed 24-6 trial win over the Warriors in Christchurch.

“If we do that at Parramatta Stadium in a week from Thursday, we will be in for a long night at the office.” He’s been great for us considering we lost both our back-rowers.” He wants to learn and develop. The Storm had a solo try from Cam Munster ruled out due to obstruction late in the half but Katoa and Warbrick struck early in the second half with Munster setting Katoa into a gap in the defensive line. “Eli’s been a great pickup. “We had a theme all week to establish the run and earn the right to play some footy,” Welch said.

Born in Kawerau, he played junior rugby league for Ngongataha Chiefs and represented New Zealand in Aussie rules, before winning an NZ sevens contract in 2019.

Melbourne Storm have unearthed a new attacking powerhouse with former All Blacks Sevens star Will Warbrick shining in...

Melbourne guns Harry Grant and Cameron Munster found cohesion in the second stanza that they lacked in the first to provide touches of class to get the Storm home. Melbourne signed former Warriors second-rower Eliesa Katoa in the off-season and he showcased his enormous upside with a blockbusting try in the second half. The Storm made 13 errors in the match have plenty to work on ahead of the NRL season opener on March 1 against Parramatta.