Team List: Clark set for 100th after long journey
Loose forward Erin Clark will reach his 100-game career milestone in the One New Zealand Warriors’ sixth-round NRL contest against the Storm at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Sunday (2.00pm kick-off local time; 4.00pm NZT).
The feat has been a long eight years in the making for the 27-year-old Manurewa Marlins junior with Melbourne the common denominator in both his first and his 100th games.
His debut as a 19-year-old against the Storm on March 10, 2017, lasted just six minutes and he then had to wait more than three years before making his way back onto the NRL stage with the Gold Coast Titans in 2020.
It was a comeback that came via a brief stint with Canberra and then playing local footy back in Auckland before the Titans offered him an opportunity.
Established as a first-choice starting forward since returning to the Warriors this season, Clark will again have a vital role to play against the Warriors’ most difficult opponent.
Match: Storm v Warriors
Round 6 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan PapenhuyzenFullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
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Winger for Storm is number 2 Grant AndersonWinger for Warriors is number 2 Taine Tuaupiki
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Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack HowarthCentre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
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Centre for Storm is number 4 Moses LeoCentre for Warriors is number 4 Ali Leiataua
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Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Warriors is number 5 Adam Pompey
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Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
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Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Luke Metcalf
Forwards
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Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
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Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
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2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell
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2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore
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Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark
Interchange
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Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran WishartInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Bunty Afoa
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Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Jackson Ford
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Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tui KamikamicaInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga
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Interchange for Storm is number 17 Bronson GarlickInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Leka Halasima
Reserves
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Replacement for Storm is number 18 Joe ChanReplacement for Warriors is number 18 Tanah Boyd
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
He’s included in a starting lineup which is identical to the one originally named for the round four clash against Wests Tigers before Rocco Berry was ruled out with a minor hamstring strain.
Berry is included again after missing the Warriors’ last 14 matches following a season-ending shoulder injury in the round 15 match against the Storm in June last year.
He has made his way back with the club’s New South Wales Cup side, playing in each of the Warriors’ first three wins of the season.
With Berry in the centres, Adam Pompey, playing his 99th game, moves to the wing after Edward Kosi filled the role in the dramatic 26-24 win over the Tigers in round four.
The interchange is unchanged from the one used against the Tigers with prop Bunty Afoa again named to fill the vacancy left by Dylan Walker’s departure.
There is some movement on the extended bench with offseason recruit Tanah Boyd named in jersey #18 after impressive performances for the club’s unbeaten New South Wales Cup side.
With three straight hard-fought wins over Manly Warringah, the Sydney Roosters and the Tigers, the Warriors come off their first bye to face the formidable Storm.
Chastened by their shock loss to St George Illawarra in round four, Melbourne responded with a lethal display when they trounced the Sea Eagles 48-24 last Sunday to move to third on the ladder just ahead of the Warriors.
At stake again on Sunday will be the Michael Moore Trophy which the Warriors haven’t held for 10 years as they’ve endured a run of 16 straight defeats, none more agonising than the reverse at AAMI Park last year.
