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Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors NRL Round 6 Tips & Prediction - Storm set to bounce back

andrew-hendrie
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Last updated: Thu 09 Apr 2026 12:29

The Melbourne Storm is set to extend their dominance over the New Zealand Warriors as they head into Round 6 of the NRL at AAMI Park. Currently on a 17-match winning streak against the Warriors, Melbourne aims to bounce back from recent defeats. With key players like Jack Howarth and Moses Leo back in the lineup, they're expected to cover a -9.5 line. The New Zealand Warriors, despite a robust start to the season, have faltered recently, making the Storm favorites to notch another win.

Andrew Hendrie 09 Apr 2026
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  • Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors predictions for Saturday's NRL Round 6 game
  • Storm bring dominant 17-match winning streak over Warriors into this clash - the hosts are tipped to cover a -9.5 line & return to winners circle
  • Value on second-rowers Chan & Laban to cross
  • The game is scheduled for kick off at 7.30pm AEDT on Saturday April 11
Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors


Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors NRL Round 6 Tips & Prediction


The Storm have never started a season 2-4 under Craig Bellamy and that's not going to change as the men in purple return to AAMI Park preparing for another dominant win over the Warriors.

Melbourne couldn't ask for a better spot to return to the winners circle on the back of suffering three straight defeats for the first time since 2022. The Storm bring a 17-game winning streak over the Warriors into this clash, with the Kiwi club's last win at AAMI Park coming back in 2014. If they don't win this match, Bellamy will go absolutely ballistic with one of the great all-time sprays.

As much as I'd like to see that, the Storm aren't losing this one. The Warriors have cooled off after their impressive start, leaking 68 points in their last two defeats to the Tigers and Sharks. Luke Metcalf is also out again, this time with a hamstring problem. Tannah Boyd has been great to start the season, but can he do it against a genuine heavyweight side at a bogey venue? Doubt it.

Not going to overthink this one - give me the Storm to cover a -9.5 line and for the game total to exceed 46.5 points.

Joe Chan has crossed in his last two home games and represents decent value on the Storm right edge. Chasing a bit more value, the Storm left-edge defence has been woeful this season - Warriors second-rower Jacob Laban looks a good price at $6.00 for a small stake.
  • Storm have won the last 17 meetings between the teams
  • Nine of their last 11 wins over the Warriors have been by 10+ points
  • Warriors have lost their last 10 games at AAMI Park
  • The last four meetings have seen Over 46.5 points
  • Four of the Storm's five games this season have seen Over 46.5 points
  • Warriors have seen Over 46.5 points in all five games this season
  • Joe Chan has scored a try in his last two games at AAMI Park
  • Storm have conceded 1+ try to opposition starting second-rowers in their last three games - Jacob Laban also scored two weeks ago vs Tigers

Storm vs Warriors Head To Head

As mentioned, the Storm have been absolutely dominant in this matchup, winning the last 17 encounters - scoring 30+ points in the last four.

YearWinnerScoreVenue
2025Melbourne42–14AAMI
2024Melbourne38–24Go Media
2024Melbourne30–26AAMI
2023Melbourne30–22AAMI
2022Melbourne24–12Mt Smart

Melbourne Storm Form Analysis

As always, it was an impressive start to the season for the Storm - they dismantled the Eels and Dragons, scoring a combined 96 points.

However, it's been slim pickings ever since.

Melbourne blew a big half-time lead to lose at home to Brisbane before suffering a four-point loss on the road to the Cowboys.

The Storm hit a new low in last week's 50-10 thrashing at the hands of Penrith, but to be fair, the Panthers are crushing every side in their path at the moment, so I'm not sure it's too concerning a defeat.

Time for the Munster, Hughes & Grant combination to step up at home for this one.

Melbourne Storm Team News

Jack Howarth (hip) and Moses Leo (concussion) return in the Storm backline, pushing Manaia Waitere  to the interchange and Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown out of the side.

Melbourne Storm Team List

1. Sualauvi Faalogo 
2. William Warbrick 
3. Jack Howarth 
4. Nick Meaney 
5. Moses Leo 
6. Cameron Munster 
7. Jahrome Hughes 
8. Stefano Utoikamanu 
9. Harry Grant 
10. Josh King 
11. Joe Chan 
12. Cooper Clarke 
13. Trent Loiero 

Interchange
14. Tyran Wishart 
15. Alec MacDonald 
16. Jack Hetherington 
17. Davvy Moale 

Reserves
18. Lazarus Vaalepu 
19. Manaia Waitere 
20. Preston Conn 
21. Hugo Peel 
22. Trent Toelau

New Zealand Warriors Form Analysis

Similar sort of season as the Storm for the Warriors.

The Kiwi club exploded out of the gates with a 42-18 thrashing of the Roosters before piling on the points in victories over the Raiders (40-6) and Knights (38-12).

Tanah Boyd was a revelation at halfback and Leka Halasima was a menace on the edges.

However, the Wahs have been disappointing over the last fortnight, suffering a surprise 32-14 loss at home to the Tigers before a 36-22 defeat to the Sharks on the road last week.

It was a good day at the office for winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak despite the loss as he crossed for a hat-trick.

New Zealand Warriors Team News

Chanel Harris-Tavita comes back in at five-eighth for Luke Metcalf.

Adam Pompey has also been suspended, so a reshuffle of the backline will be needed ahead of kick-off.

New Zealand Warriors Team List

1. Taine Tuaupiki 
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 
3. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 
4. TBA 
5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 
6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 
7. Tanah Boyd 
8. James Fisher-Harris 
9. Wayde Egan 
10. Jackson Ford 
11. Leka Halasima 
12. Jacob Laban 
13. Erin Clark 

Interchange
14. Samuel Healey 
15. Marata Niukore 
16. Demitric Vaimauga 
17. Tanner Stowers-Smith

Reserves 
18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 
20. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 
21. Morgan Gannon 
22. Luke Hanson 
23. Ali Leiataua

Verdict

Time for the Storm to return to the winners circle as they target an 18th straight win over the Wahs. Back the overs, with value on Chan & Laban to cross on the edges.

Best Bet1: Storm -9.5 Line $1.90 at Betfocus - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Over 46.5 Total Points $1.90 at dabble - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Joe Chan Anytime Tryscorer $3.20 at Teambet - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Jacob Laban Anytime Tryscorer $6.00 at Ladbrokes Australia - 1 Unit
Storm -9.5
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$1.90 - 3 Units
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