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Storm: Stats drop without Smith

The aura surrounding the ability of the Melbourne Storm dwindles considerably when they don’t have their Australian hooker guiding them around the park. Having lost 2 of their past 4 matches and nearly losing to Brisbane last weekend, the Storm are understandably desperate to have Cameron Smiths’ grapple charge overturned. 

Since the start of 2003, Melbourne have played 16 matches without Smith, winning eight and losing eight. That gives them a 50 per cent record without him, compared with a 70 per cent winning rate (winning 100 and losing 42) with him in the side over the same period.

This year, with Smith the premiership skipper, the Storm have lost every game without the hooker in the side - though that statistic is slightly deceptive, because, along with Smith, the likes of Greg Inglis, Billy Slater and Israel Folau were missing during the State of Origin period.

The side also lost the World Club Challenge without him. In that game, Matt Geyer filled the hooking position, as Smith stayed home with his partner giving birth to their first child. Geyer, who filled in for Scott Hill at five-eighth in the 1999 grand final victory over St George Illawarra, seems to be Craig Bellamy’s most likely option as the side’s No.9 should the Storm lose Smith to suspension. He has others: Russell Aitken has played at hooker this season. Bellamy, however, is more likely to opt for experience over exuberance.

If Geyer shifts to hooker, that still leaves a hole at centre. Will Chambers, Ben MacDougall and Dane Nielsen have all been ruled out for the rest of the season, leaving Brett Anderson, Joseph Tomane and Sam Tagataese as potentials. Anderson is the most likely option, given that the club is also set to lose other possible candidates - second-rowers Ryan Hoffman (injury) and Jeremy Smith (suspension). Bellamy said the possibility of the two Smiths missing for the Sharks match was an unfortunate combination because it seriously tested team back-up.

“In past years, we had specialist hooker back-up, but this year, when Cam was with the Queensland team, we used Matt Geyer,” Bellamy said. “But Jeremy Smith covered Matt’s position in the backs. We’ve also lost second-rower Ryan Hoffman, meaning our attack on the edges has been weakened.”

Losing Cam Smith also seriously hinders the side no matter who fills the holes. In 23 matches so far this season, Smith has averaged more than 37 tackles a game. He has scored four tries, set up 10, and provided seven line-break assists.

They will lose their No.1 goalkicker, too - Smith has booting 77 of them so far this season. In the tighter games, the importance of the goalkicker is magnified.

Geyer, Steve Turner, Cooper Cronk and Jeremy Smith have all kicked goals this year, but Geyer’s four remains the most of that quartet.

Melbourne players put on their brave faces yesterday, Turner saying of the potential loss: “In the last couple of years during the Origin period and with injuries, we’ve had young blokes step up and do a wonderful job for the Storm. That’s the sort of culture we’ve brought into the Storm over the last couple of years.”

The Sharks had their diplomatic faces on. “The likes of Greg Inglis and Israel Folau - you probably haven’t seen their best this finals series, so if someone like [Cam] Smith’s out, blokes like that are likely to step up, which can be very dangerous. We all know how good they are,” skipper Paul Gallen said.

Both Turner and Gallen are good at poker, no doubt.

WITH OR WITHOUT HIM

How Melbourne have fared without Cam Smith this season:
v Halifax (trial) - won 26-10

v Leeds (World Club Challenge) - lost 11-4

v St George Illawarra (round 10) - lost 36-12

v Gold Coast (round 13) - lost 18-0

v Parramatta (round 16) - lost 24-22

Storm stun Broncos late 16-14

Melbourne has confirmed their NRL Premiership credentials with a heart stopping win in the final 30 seconds at Suncorp Stadium, producing the ultimate never-say-die performance to down a gallant Brisbane outfit 16-14.

The reigning premiers triumphed in the face of extreme adversity, overcoming the sin binning of prop Jeff Lima and rallying from a 12-nil halftime deficit to get home in an absolute thriller.

Brisbane looked for all money to have parlayed a week of turmoil into the ultimate against-the-odds victory, but a 79th minute Broncos knock on gifted the Storm one last chance to keep their dream of back-to-back premierships alive.

They didn’t waste it.

The Storm put it though the hands and crossed in the corner through Inglis, to complete an amazing escape act.

Trailing 12-nil at the break, the defending premiers were on the ropes, and started the second half like their season was on the line.

First they repelled repeat sets from the Broncos, and then they produced some stunning attack to re-ignite the contest.

Cronk found Billy Slater wrapping around on a second man play, who in turn linked with Israel Folau.

Folau brushed a feeble attempted tackle from Joel Moon, before a delivering a stunning one-arm offload infield to a supporting Michael Crocker, and the Storm were back in the contest.

Cameron Smith was on target with the extras, to make it 12-6 after 47 minutes.

The Storm undid much of their good work when Smith knocked on shortly after the restart, but some phenomenal goal-line defence denied Boyd his second try and kept the Storm within range.

Melbourne continued to attack with renewed flair, and almost produced the try of the season in the 53rd minute.

A Smith grubber looked to be heading for the dead-ball line, before it was batted back into the in-goal by Matt Geyer, and batted back again by Anthony Quinn for Inglis to touch down, but the video ref ruled Inglis offside in the lead up.

The contest started to degenerate on the back of a number of high tackles, with the teams coming to blows twice before the referee dealt Melbourne’s hopes a crushing blow.

Shayne Hayne sent Jeff Lima to the sin-bin for a late hit on Michael Ennis, and the penalty provided Corey Parker with a gift two points to stretch the Broncos lead to eight with just under 20 minutes remaining.

An eight-point deficit against Brisbane with 12 men on the park would be mission impossible for most sides, but you can never count out the defending premiers.

Cooper Cronk produced a pin-point bomb and Slater did the rest, snatching it out of the air and forcing his way over next to the posts to get the Storm within two points following Smith’s conversion.

The Broncos looked to have iced the game in the 76th minute though a try to Ben Hannant, but again the Storm scrambled brilliantly in defence to hold him up, and the rest is history.

An early penalty against Inglis for holding down in the ruck presented Brisbane with the night’s first attacking opportunity, and if the Storm were in need of a wake up call, they soon got it.

Some quick passing from Peter Wallace and Karmichael Hunt caught the Storm defence short on the left, presenting Denan Kemp with the easiest of tries in the corner.

Parker nailed the extras from the touchline, and the Broncos were off to flyer, 6-nil in front after five minutes.

The Melbourne machine looked to have clicked into gear in the 17th minute when Cronk threaded a grubber into the in-goal for Billy Slater to score, but replays showed the Queensland Origin fullback was unable to ground the ball cleanly.

Only some desperate defence was protecting the Brisbane lead, Cronk got over the line but was held up, as the Storm’s normally precision attacking plays continued to falter.

And it came back to bite the defending premiers, the Broncos produced some stunning ad-lib football for Denan Kemp to cross in the 33rd minute, with Parker’s conversion putting the home side up by a dozen.

The Storm were gifted some sustained possession courtesy of a Justin Hodges brain explosion, with the star centre penalised for arguing with a touch judge.

But the the visitors couldn’t cash in, as more horrendous options in attack let the Broncos off the hook.

Storm halfback Cooper Cronk was relieved at the end of the epic battle.

“We were lucky to get away with that one,” said Cronk whose kicking game played a big part in the win.

“We were just lucky that Sika (Manu) caused that mistake (Sims). We scored on the end of that.

“The Broncos were all over us but we survived for another week.”

A distraught Lockyer was almost inconsolable as he stumbled almost aimlessly from the field.

“I don’t think I have ever felt like that before. We turned up tonight …. I’m lost for words.

“Anyway, it’s happened now,” he added still in a daze.

Warriors roll Roosters in NZ

The New Zealand Warriors managed to overcome massive odds, disposing of the Sydney Roosters despite several horrible calls by video referees Steve Clark and Phil Cooley.

The home side amazingly hanging tough, despite the odds and limited possession in the first half to come home with a wet sail to set up the big win.

The Warriors are now only one win away from the grand final after their 30-13 victory over the visiting Roosters side.

Trailing 13-6 at half time, the Warriors kept the Roosters scoreless in the second term and will now face a nervous Manly at the SFS next Saturday.

The Warriors remained composed despite the penalty try call in the first half now moving to 11 wins from 13 starts in recent weeks. The penalty try awarded to Rooster Anthony Minichiello in staggering circumstances, even more amazing considering that two video referees in the adjudication still got the call wrong - adding to the woes for NRL officials this year.

The Warriors got on the scoreboard early in the 2nd term, with Lance Hohaia ducking over for his 2nd touch down of the night to get the Warriors into overdrive and the 25,585-strong crowd going nuts.

Having already been dumb founded by a horror call by video referees Steve Clark’s and Phil Cooley to award Anthony Minichiello a penalty try, the crowd were left amazed yet again when the Warriors were denied their own try to Aidan Kirk a try out wide. With the video referees choosing to be controversial in awarding the Minichiello try, they should have at least been consistent and awarded the benefit of the doubt call to Kirk - but somehow, the officials refused to give the Warriors a look in, something that continued to amaze fans, Channel 9 Commentators and TV viewers alike.

Eventually some of the calls went the Warriors’ way, with consecutive infringements against the Roosters giving the Warriors something to work with.

The Roosters were starting to tire in defence, with former Sydney Roosters rake Ian Henderson finally giving the home side a lead they would never let go when he was given the benefit of the doubt by Clark as he placed down on Braith Anasta’s boot before rolling it off for a touch-and-go try. It was surely a case of a ‘make-up’ call by video referees Clark and Cooley, the try looking to have doubts, and certainly less likely than the Kirk no-try - but as so often happens in NRL, the video referee decision is an absolute lottery and once again, what many felt was the wrong call was thrown up.

Despite the fact that this wrong call made up for earlier blunders, put simply something has to be done. The video referee’s continue to make ridiculous calls, calls that amaze players, fans and viewers alike - the fact that a penalty try was awarded during the final series for the 2nd consecutive year despite little if any being awarded through the year - is an absolute joke. Even the fact that 2 video referees tried to assist each other in the box - common sense seems to go out the window, fortunately in this case - it didn’t effect the result luckily.

The Warriors seized on their momentum and continued to duck and drive from dummy half, their one out running bending the Roosters backwards and crushing the Sydney momentum. Soon after, Manu Vatuvei crashed over in the corner for another try with pivot Michael Witts sideline conversion putting the home side up by 11.

Kirk then kick-started an early party when he raced 80 metres to score an intercept try six minutes from time, the wing ensuring inspirational prop Ruben Wiki at least one more farewell before his oft-delayed retirement.

Hohaia scored after just three minutes to hand the Warriors the perfect start, but from there it was all the Roosters in the first half, with only their attacking play in the opposition’s red zone letting them down.

The Roosters levelled the match on 28 minutes when Mitchell Pearce backed up his own 40-20 to cross next to the post, but the Warriors were left seething just three minutes later when Hohaia was ruled to have taken out Minichiello as he attempted to chase down a rolling ball in the in-goal.

Clark took plenty of time in coming to his decision, the penalty try the second in as many years in finals games at Mt Smart Stadium, with the Warriors the beneficiaries in last year’s loss to Parramatta.

The plucky Warriors now return to Sydney to face the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, and must surely fancy their chances as the New Zealand side continues to ride a wave of form. Winning has become a habit for the impressive NZ side, they are now really starting to believe and not only possess the skills, but the size to worry the likes of Manly, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Bennett confident Broncos will fire

Broncos veteran clipboard man Wayne Bennett says the dramas that have engulfed the Broncos off the field this week have not reduced their focus from their elimination final against Melbourne this weekend.

Departing the Red Hill based club after 21 years, coach Wayne Bennett said it was absolutely business as usual for the in-form side.

“We just get on with life here,” muttered Bennett.

“It’s happened to us in the past, I’m sure it will happen in the future, we just get on with life.”

“I have no control about how I leave the Broncos …I am more than happy with my time here and what I have done.”

Unhappy with the medias coverage of the Darren Lockyer affair, saying outlets were simply “flogging a dead horse”.

The Lockyer affair gaining momentum after footage was aired on TV this week, showing events surrounding a Brisbane bar on September 6, alleging Lockyer was up to no good - an allegation Lockyer and the Broncos strongly refute. It certainly seems odd, that thebar owner would only suddenly come forward after the Hunt, Thaiday and Boyd affair took centre stage.

“It was just a lot of muck-raking, and it was quite unnecessary,” Bennett grumbled.

Bennett also confirmed, he hadn’t even looked at the CCTV footage screened on TV - preferring to back his captain 100%.

When asked about the alleged sexual assault, Bennett said all that could be done - was the Broncos must assist Police where possible.

“They’ve done their police interviews, it’s all over for us,” he said.

“There’s nothing we can do until we get some indication from the police about what direction they are going.”

As the Broncos prepare to face the Storm this weekend in whats shaping as a Grand Final come early - many are eager to see if the events surrounding Brisbane unite the side in a ’siege’ style mentality; similar to that achieved by Cronulla recently after the Bird affair or whether the week of turmoil will defocus the Bennett coached side.

The home ground advantage is sure to help, with the home side certain to have an ‘origin’ style atmosphere as the Queenslanders come out in numbers to ride their team home

Warriors: All Beards and Luck

TO UNDERSTAND the rise of the Warriors this season, from impossible to predict to impossible to resist, you have to consider their … facial hair. Really, the beards, more than anything, have proved that few have taken them seriously until now.

It was after the Warriors toppled Melbourne, becoming the first eighth-placed side to beat the minor premiers, when in the middle of the post-match euphoria, captain Steve Price was asked about his beard: “What’s doing with them?”

Truth is, the Warriors have been growing them for three months, as a tribute to their departing prop Ruben Wiki. It’s just taken many this long to notice.

If the Warriors are the team we simply didn’t see coming, Micheal Luck is also the player. His consistency is breathtaking. He rarely has a bad game, and he rarely misses any; since he arrived at the club, he has played 73 of 75 matches.

Tonight, he will play his 150th NRL match. But as he soaked up the hysteria this week of the Warriors’ remarkable rise, and his own quiet achievement, he said the side had not taken offence that only now, 25 matches into their season, suddenly we know he and his side are here.

“We’ve probably had no right to be noticed,” Luck said. “We scraped into the eight in the last week of the regular season. It’s not like we’re a dominant force.

“At times during the year, we were that inconsistent, we probably didn’t have the right for people to take us seriously at all.”

Now we are taking them seriously when they have undertaken a pact that would be pure schoolyard if teenagers had the ability to grow facial hair.

But this bearded Warrior is in no mood to shave. His teammates firmly believe they can march on, while Luck believes last Sunday’s victory over the Storm will be almost “worthless” if they fail to take the opportunity to beat the Roosters tonight.

“It certainly gives us confidence that we didn’t play the perfect game of footy [on Sunday] by any means,” he said. “We were a bit lucky in Melbourne.”

But who needs luck when you’ve got Luck? In many ways, the hard-working lock has been the complete antithesis of his team; while his side has craved consistency, he has not.

But it hasn’t all been this way. As a Cowboy, Luck was up and down like his current side. The difference, he says, is “having a coach that’s got a bit of faith in you … and knowing my role in the side”.

“I was only a young guy there, and young guys feel like that,” Luck said.

“With experience, you learn a bit more, you handle things differently. You grow up a bit, learn a bit more every year.”

Broncos Trio Confirm Sex ‘Consentual’

Under fire Brisbane trio Hunt, Thaiday and Boyd have refuted claims they sexually assaulted the female in question at a Brisbane nitespot on Saturday night, saying the whole liasion was consented to by all parties.

The 3 leading NRL players, who will remain in the Broncos team to clash with Melbourne this weekend in the NRL finals series, will continue to take part in all remaining games despite the allegations surrounding them - after Queensland Police Minister Judy Spence confirmed the followup by Police could possibly take much longer.

Sources suggest that the Broncos trio Karmichael Hunt, Darius Boyd and Sam Thaiday have been assisting Police with current inquries.

NRL News.com reported yesterday that cases such as this involving the Broncos NRL players or similar high profile celebrities should mean that the complainant also must be forced to release their name; instead of being able to make claims in total anonimity. Regardless of the outcome, the Broncos trio are now tarnished to some extent where as the accuser suffers much less consequences depending on the outcome.

Sources mentioned that cell phones belonging to the Broncos trio were taken and examined, potentially trying to discover the alleged ‘filming’ of the incident. However, others in the same area on Saturday night believed there was no actual filming that took place.

Broncos boss Bruno Cullen has continued his dialogue with local Police, after the headline making accusation made by a 24-year-old woman, the day after a long evening at the popular Alhambra Lounge.

The Broncos too are looking into the events with their own in-house PI team, the long night unfolding after celebrations kicked off after a hard fought win over the Sydney Roosters.

“I would encourage people not to pre-judge these players or the events surrounding this incident on the weekend, come along to the Broncos match this weekend.” said Premier Anna Bligh.

The situation isn’t being helped by additional allegations aimed at the Broncos on Saturday night after claims of spitting at members of the public, groping women or queue jumping at taxi stands were made.

The Broncos have no plans to stand down the three after they told club officials and police that they had not sexually assaulted the woman. The only official comment from the club was in the form of a statement issued by Cullen.

“The Brisbane Broncos’ internal investigation team has continued its work today on the allegations against three of its players,” he said. “As advised yesterday, the team is co-operating with Queensland police in this regard.

“This morning I met with two senior police officers in charge of the police investigation and we covered the process followed to date by both parties.

“We also confirmed our resolve to work together to ensure all the facts are presented by all witnesses. The Broncos have taken further steps this afternoon to make sure this happens in an orderly and practical manner, as soon as possible.”

Nathan Hindmarsh leads Aus PM team

Seemingly out of favour former Australian representative Nathan Hindmarsh has been hoisted back into calculations for the Rugby League World Cup after securing not only a role, but the skippers role in the Australian PM’s 13 team. Hindmarsh along with teammate Jarryd Hayne and other surprise selections Wendell Sailor, Scott Prince, Robbie Farah and Alan Tongue will join forces to compete against Papua New Guinea later this month.

The team - featuring players no longer participating in the NRL finals series - will be captained by Eels workhorse Nathan Hindmarsh and coach by Queensland State of Origin mentor Mal Meninga.

They will take on Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on September 28.

“The fans in Port Moresby are amongst the most passionate league supporters you will find anywhere in the world,” Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said.

“The match not only provides a great opportunity for local fans to see their favourite NRL stars, it will leave a real legacy off the field.

“I wish ‘my team’ all the best and I’m confident Mal’s winning record this year will continue.”

Here’s the team:

1. Jarryd Hayne
2. Wendell Sailor
3. Michael Jennings
4. Joel Monaghan
5. Josh Morris
6. Terry Campese
7. Scott Prince
8. Carl Webb
9. Robbie Farah
10. Ben Cross
11. Nathan Hindmarsh (capt)
12. Luke O’Donnell
13. Alan Tongue

Interchange:
14. Craig Wing
15. Chris Heighington
16. Cory Paterson
17. Joe Picker

18th man: Chris Lawrence.

Coach: Mal Meninga.

NRL Teams Finals Week 2

Commencing with the New Zealand Warriors vs the Sydney Roosters on Friday night, listed below are the NRL Teams and Squad Lineups for Week 2 of the Finals Series 2008

FRIDAY

NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS v SYDNEY ROOSTERS at Mt Smart Stadium, 6.30pm

WARRIORS: Lance Hohaia, Aiden Kirk, Brent Tate, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Michael Witt, Nathan Fien, Ruben Wiki, Ian Henderson, Steve Price (capt), Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Micheal Luck. Interchange: Grant Rovelli, Evarn Tuimavave, Sam Rapira, Logan Swann
ROOSTERS: Anthony Minichiello, Brent Grose, Setaimata Sa, Sia Soliola, Sam Perrett, Braith Anasta (capt), Mitchell Pearce, Mark O’Meley, James Aubusson, Lopini Paea, Nate Myles, Anthony Tupou, Craig Fitzgibbon. Interchange: Mickey Paea, David Shillington, Anthony Cherrington, Mitchell Aubusson.

Referee: Tony Archer

SATURDAY

BRISBANE BRONCOS v MELBOURNE STORM at Suncorp Stadium, 7.45pm

BRONCOS: Karmichael Hunt, Darius Boyd, Joel Moon, Justin Hodges, Denan Kemp, Darren Lockyer (capt), Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Michael Ennis, Joel Clinton, Corey Parker, Sam Thaiday, Tonie Carroll. Interchange: David Stagg, Ashton Sims, Greg Eastwood, Nick Kenny
STORM: Billy Slater, Steve Turner, Matt Geyer, Israel Folau, Anthony Quinn, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Jeff Lima, Cameron Smith (capt), Brett White, Michael Crocker, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Jeremy Smith, Adam Blair, Sika Manu, Antonio Kaufusi

Referee: Shayne Hayne

Must name the female in Broncos saga

As the Brisbane Broncos trio of Hunt, Boyd and Thaiday face the Police and public scrutiny over an alleged sexual assault at the weekend, the female involved in the situation should also have to face the public in what shapes as a trial by media.

It’s alleged by sources, that the female at the centre of the saga had ‘consentual’ sexual contact with some or all of the players; however she chose to file the assault charge over the fact that one of the players ‘recorded’ the events that took place. The woman apparently chatting with a female friend after the liasion with the 3 players, mentioning her concern over the video - then her friend urging her strongly to go forward and report the events.

Obviously it’s only early stages and the Police investigation will delve further into the events, evidence and statements from all involved - but at this stage, with all parties innocent until proven guilty: the Broncos trio face permanent damage to their reputations, while the woman that chose to press charges remains in absolute anonimity. Certainly an unfair situation and one that makes you ponder; in the current atmosphere - NRL players must certainly consider their potential situation before kissing or even talking to females, as it may potentially compromise their profile and land them in hot water.

The trio – all Queensland State of Origin stars – are at the centre of a media storm after being named by a 24-year-old woman who lodged a formal complaint with the police yesterday.

Facing assault charges over contact with the woman in the toilet of the Alhambra Lounge nightclub in Brisbane, with one allegedly filming the incident on his phone.

The trio had been out celebrating Friday night’s finals victory over the Roosters.

Two other players out on the same night in Brisbane have been accused of abusing and spitting at patrons outside a popular pub after shoving their way to the front of a taxi queue.

According to a woman who contacted the Brisbane Times, four players behaved inappropriately outside the pub – one of whom “could barely stand”.

“Two players left the venue and walked straight to the front of the taxi queue, where we had been waiting at this point for over 40 minutes,” she said.

“Despite a number of very loud and vocal protests to the security staff and the players about the inequity of queue-jumping and the fact that they should go to the end of the line and wait like everyone else, the players were allowed to stay there.

“They were joined by two other players after about five minutes and got in the next taxi. These players abused and spat on patrons who had been at the Normanby all evening.”

Hunt, Boyd and Thaiday could be stood down by the Broncos for the rest of the season. Sharks star Greg Bird was recently stood down by his club after being charged with assaulting his girlfriend.

The Broncos will play the minor premiers Melbourne in a sudden-death semi-final on Saturday night at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. It will be coach Wayne Bennett’s farewell match to the club.

Warriors beat all odds, topple Storm 18-15

The usually well oiled Melbourne Storm machine, are now looking at an elimination play-off against the Broncos in Brisbane in their NRL 2008 Finals campaign after they were bundled out 18-15 by a never say die New Zealand Warriors outfit today.

The Warriors ran in a final minute try to pivot Michael Witt to make history, the Storm now the first ever 8th placed team to beat the 1st placed NRL team.

The victory not only keeps the Warriors alive for 2008, they now have an advantage in Week 2, facing a match-up with the Sydney Roosters at Mt Smart next Friday night in a blockbuster affair.

In todays game, a close affair - it seemed as though the championship Melbourne side might get the late victory with pivot Greg Inglis potting a neat field goal with 10 minutes left on the clock. The late field goal and single point buffer did throw the Warriors tactics momentarily, but they refused to give in. In a game full of penalties, the Warriors were burned by two horrific calls that cost them dearly.

Early in the match, energetic Warriors hooker Ian Henderson was slapped deliberately in the head by Matt Geyer and quickly lashed out at the offending Storm veteran. But even after replays, match referee Jason Robinson awarded the penalty to the Storm - with many left scratching their heads and Geyer walking away with a smirk after being the intigator and attacking the head.

The Warriors weren’t offered the same favour when a similar play happened in the second half, again Matt Geyer was involved and this time NZ player Aiden Kirk lashed out at Geyer while in possession and was immediately pinged for the alleged foul. The call saw coach Ivan Cleary raise to his feet in disbelief and the forces conspired against the visitors - but they somehow hung in.

The NZ Warriors continued to throw the ball around in the final 10 minutes even though it cost them several mistakes, the seemingly perfect Storm side and some poor referee calls were still not enough to keep this Kiwi outfit at bay.

With plenty of twists and turns in the final minutes, it was a big bust by flanker Manu Vatuvei that gave the Warriors their chance. Setting off down the left wing, Vatuvei drew in several players and bumped off others, before position Michael Witt for a nice offload and sending the pivot in to score for the Kiwis from 40m out - the resulting try with a minute on the clock consigning the Storm to a first week defeat.

For some reason, pivot Witt was seemingly over excited about the try and took an eternity to touch the ball down. He began celebrating and dancing wildly before eventually grounding the ball only milli-seconds before Cameron Smith lunged to prevent the touchdown.

In a torrid, close affair the sides were locked at 8-8 at the break, the Warriors scoring right on half time and keeping their chances high. After plenty of possession, the Warriors initially didn’t look able to bust the strong Storm line defence.

The Storm have the ability, but their overall desire will be questioned after an early finals loss. Their ‘aura’ is certainly dropping after recent losses to the Knights and now NZ side.

The Warriors will also be boosted by the fact they won without firebrand Wade McKinnon, the classy fullback being well replaced by utility Lance Hohia.

NZ got on the board in the second half after Storm fullback Slater failed to clean up a Grant Rovelli kick into the in-goal, Slater getting to the ball first but swatting it into the arms of big Warriors flanker Manu Vatuvei pounced on it, the early second half try giving the Warriors a nice confidence booster and giving them some hope of an upset win.

Folau came close evening things up after a threatening Storm attacking play but he was tackled well by Vatuvei and grounded 1m short, the lanky Folau then reaching out but committing an obvious double movement.

But the dangerous Folau was attacking shortly after, the Warriors giving away a penalty and as so often happens - a try is the result. Folau bustling over from 5m out, getting the Storm back in the picture, but Smith missing the conversion allowing the Warriors to be ahead by 2 points.

The Warriors had their chances and peppered the Storm line several times but couldn’t break through, with their attack finally stopped after the controversial Aidan Kirk penalty call on Matt Geyer. The poor call would have killed off many teams, but amazingly the Warriors remained upbeat.

After a quiet game, Storm star Greg Inglis got into the action in a big way when he potted the 35m drop goal. In a sign of confidence, the Warriors refused several times to go for drop goals, instead hanging out for the 4 pointer to seal the win.

The move proving a smart one, with their second phase play late in the game giving them the chance they needed. Keeping the ball alive may have cost them in the errors department, but it forced the big Storm forwards to run for most of the match.

With minutes remaining, it was ‘diamonds or stones’ Manu Vatuvei who bust things open down the left wing and positioned Witt brilliantly for the final run to the line with a sublime offload.

The Warriors will now face the Roosters in New Zealand and the Storm must try and regroup to face the in-form Broncos in Brisbane. With the losers eliminated from the NRL Finals series.

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