Monday, Telstra Dome, 7pm
Referee: Ben Cummins

You have to go back to the 2006 season to find it, but the Warriors were the last team to beat the Storm in Melbourne. It doesn't mean they are going to do it again here, but at least they know they are capable of pulling off a win if things go right for them on the night. Still, you would be a brave person to tip it will happen.

The Storm may have lost the World Club Challenge to Leeds in England, but considering the woeful weather conditions it was a high-quality game that only reinforced the fact the Storm deserve to be clear premiership favourites.

Hooker, captain and best player Cameron Smith didn't play in that match, but he returns for this one. The Storm are still without five-eighth Greg Inglis, but they do have fullback Billy Slater, centre Israel Folau and halfback Cooper Cronk. And Smith is surrounded by a tough pack.

The Warriors are capable of mixing it with any team physically, but they recently suffered a crushing blow with the long-term injury suffered by fullback Wade McKinnon. The Storm should finish with a two or three-try advantage.

STORM: Billy Slater, Steve Turner, Will Chambers, Israel Folau, Anthony Quinn, Russ Aitken, Cooper Cronk, Jeff Lima, Cameron Smith (capt), Brett White, Jeremy Smith, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Matt Geyer, Adam Blair, Sika Manu, Sam Tagataese.

WARRIORS: Aidan Kirk, Patrick Ah Van, Brent Tate, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Michael Witt, Grant Rovelli, Sam Rapira, Nathan Fien, Steve Price (capt), Simon Mannering, Logan Swann, Micheal Luck. Interchange: Lance Hohaia, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Ruben Wiki.