The Melbourne Storm have defeated the New Zealand Warriors 38-24 at Go Media Stadium, extending their winning streak over the Auckland side to 16 games.

After 20 minutes of this match it appeared as if it would be one of the easiest victories of Andrew Webster’s tenure, after his side led 14-nil after 18 minutes.

A first set penalty and a string of cheap set restarts from the Storm allowed the Warriors to entrench themselves deep inside Melbourne’s 20.

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Adam Pompey crashed over after four minutes and before a wonderful flick pass from Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad somehow found Marcelo Montoya for his first of the night.

After 15 minutes, the home side had 82% of the ball and had been tackled 19 times in the Storm’s 20. By comparison, at that stage Melbourne completed just three teams and had made four times as many tackles.

However, once the Storm organised themselves, minimised their errors and brought their discipline into line, the momentum was all in their favour.

Jahrome Hughes imprinted himself on the clash increasingly throughout the first half, and ended the opening 40 minutes having assisted three of his side’s four tries.

Fox League’s Corey Parker applauded the Storm No.7 on commentary, stating Hughes is “single-handedly picking apart the defensive line of the Warriors.

In the second half, it was much of the same. New Zealand started strong, with their intensity both with the ball and in defence on show during the opening minutes.

On the 45th minute, Mitch Barnett dragged three defenders over the line to score and bring the Warriors within touching distance of victory.

It looked as if the contest was firmly in the balance until Warriors wingers Marcelo Montoya and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak were sin binned in quick succession, leading Andrew Webster’s side to defend with 11 men for a few minutes.

As they tend to do, Melbourne picked apart their weakened opposition, showcasing the ruthlessness that has them leading the competition halfway through the season.

Electric fullback Sua Faalogo scored in the first set after Montoya was binned, before Coates crossed a handful of tackles after DWZ was sent for 10.

There was no coming back from there, as Melbourne, and Hughes in particular, tightened the screws and rode the game out, delivering the two points to Craig Bellamy’s side and ensuring the Warriors will have to wait even longer for their first win over the Storm since 2015.

MELBOURNE STAR PROVE WHY HE’S ONE OF THE BEST

Much like the rest of his side, Jahrome Hughes was quiet in the opening stages of this one as wave after wave of Warriors attack bombarded Melbourne’s try line.

However, when his side did get back into the game it was off the back of their halfback’s strong performance.

In Melbourne’s first foray into the Warriors half it was a perfectly weighted Hughes bomb that Eli Katoa contested and stole from Adam Pompey’s grip for his side’s first of the night.

Moments later, another Hughes sat up perfectly for Xavier Coates, who knocked it back into an onrushing Grant Anderson, who dived over in the corner.

As the minutes passed, Hughes’ imprint on the game became deeper. If he wasn’t creating problems for the Warriors with his boot, he was doing so with his hands, particularly when he slipped Katoa through the line after 34 minutes and the back rower found Nick Meaney to give Melbourne the lead.

Fox League’s Corey Parker was full of praise for the Storm No. 7 on commentary, stating Hughes is “single-handedly picking apart the defensive line of the Warriors.”

The former Broncos captain also noted how the New Zealand international has “stood tall” in the absence of Storm five-eighth.In the second half, it was much of the same from Hughes, who finished the game with four tries and three line break assists in a simply spectacular performance that reminded the rugby league world why he is one of the competition’s finest halfbacks.

WHAT DO THE STORM DO WITH FAALOGO?

Anyone with two eyes can see Sua Faalogo is undoubtedly a first grader. He’s the type of player that gets fans on the edge of their seats, someone who can change a contest in an instant and break defences open with his speed and agility.

Yet, he’s not even the first choice fullback at his club. Rightly, that position is held by the injured Ryan Papenhuyzen, a Clive Churchill Medallist and one of the best fullbacks in the game on his day.

It’s a good problem for Melbourne to have, and one they’ve dealt with expertly before. This was after all the same club who managed to maximise Brandon Smith and Harry Grant’s talents in the same 17.

However, hookers and fullbacks aren’t the same kettle of fish. It’s much easier to carry a dummy half on the bench than a fullback, meaning Craig Bellamy has one of the greatest selection headaches in recent rugby league memory on his hands.

When Papenhuyzen returns, it’ll no doubt be in the Storm’s No. 1 jersey. But Faalogo simply can’t go back to reserve grade, not when he performs as he did against the Warriors.

At fullback, Faalogo scored twice, ran for 110 metres and broke five tackles, proving his ability to match it in first grade.

Whether he’ll continue to do so when Papenhuyzen’s back is a question only Craig Bellamy has the answers for.

 

IS SJ’S QUIET RETURN A PROBLEM?

In contrast with his opposite No. 7, Shaun Johnson was quiet on his return to first grade.

Pre-game, coach Andrew Webster explained Johnson was prepared to take a bit more of a back seat and allow the Warriors side to continue playing in the way which had seen them return to form in recent weeks.

For much of the game, this was truly playing out as Johnson played second fiddle to the in-form Te Maire Martin, either acting as a second receiver in Warriors attacking shape, allowing Martin to take control of the side in attacking field position.

Early on it worked, with Martin providing a lovely assist to Adam Pompey for his side’s first of the night. However there were moments of this clash crying out for Johnson’s influence, particularly in the second half when the match was on a knife’s edge.

Despite this, Johnson’s influence remained minimal, leading to Parker comment that the No. 7 had been “quiet” on his return.

Johnson had 28 possessions, five runs and just 275 kick metres on his return, summing up an underwhelming performance from the man the Warriors need to be on his game more than anyone.

It was a night to forget for the Warriors No. 7, who will need to brush it off quickly if his side has any chance of making a late push for the top eight.