An understrength Melbourne outfit were no match for the Warriors as the beaten 2024 grand finalists went down 36-10 in Hamilton.
Craig Bellamy rested the vast majority of the side that will line up in Round 1 against Parramatta while Andrew Webster decided against a mostly youthful team.
It was a mismatch in every sense as Melbourne were outclassed from the opening siren and an unwanted record-breaking opening 40 minutes for Bellamy’s side as the Warriors ran in seven tries.
The damage was mitigated in the second half and Melbourne scored two tries to make the scoreline a bit more respectable.
Warriors 36, Storm 10
Webster rolls dice on Metcalf ahead of Vegas showdown
Andrew Webster handed Luke Metcalf the No.7 jersey with the New Zealand coach yet to anoint club legend Shaun Johnson’s replacement for 2025.
Metcalf started confidently and impressed with an early 40-20, guiding his side around well as they dominated the understrength grand finalists but was somewhat wayward with the boot, kicking four of seven conversions before being hooked at half-time for Luke Hanson.
The 25-year-old did his hopes of a starting berth in Las Vegas against the Raiders no harm, but he faces competition from Tanah Boyd, Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita for the two playmaking spots for the Allegiant Stadium clash in two weeks’ time.
Webster chose to give some of his most experienced players decent minutes, with Kurt Capewell, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Martin and Harris-Tavita all starting the contest with Martin preferred at fullback.
The veterans took advantage of their young counterparts with RTS claiming a first-half double and Capewell punishing in defence.
Utility Tyran Wishart led the Storm out as captain but could not fire a shot from five-eighth. Marquee signing Stefano Utoikamanu made his club debut but could not make an impact either, with rising star Sualauvi Faalogo the only other recognised first grader in the 17.
Much more star power will likely be called upon for Melbourne’s trial against the Cowboys next Sunday.
Taine Tuaupiki did well to stay in the field as the winger opened the Warriors’ account before Tuivasa-Sheck showcased his silky footwork to stretch their lead to 12-0 after just ten minutes.
Tuaupiki doubled his tally seven minutes later and Metcalf added the conversion with Bellamy’s young guns unable to halt the Warriors’ dominance in attack, and failing to make much of their limited possession. Tuivasa-Sheck added his second four-pointer of the afternoon as the home team threatened to put on a cricket score in Hamilton.Ali Leiataua notched his own double before Harris-Tavita added a try in a stunning seven-try first half for the Warriors. It is not often you see a Bellamy-led team down 36-0 at half-time.
The Warriors’ momentum slowed after half-time with Webster bringing off his senior players.
Kane Bradley got Melbourne on the board after leaping high to grab Keagan Russell-Smith’s well placed bomb and Ben Talty capitalised on an odd bounce to reduce the final deficit.
David Shilovskyhttps://https://ift.tt/hXAndfr takeaways: Metcalf aces halves audition as Warriors embarrass understrength grand finalists
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