‘Blown away’: Storm make statement as awesome foursome run riot to embarrass Manly

Melbourne’s incredible ability to bounce back after a loss was on full display on Sunday afternoon with their ‘big four’ of Jahrome Hughes, Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Ryan Papenhuyzen putting on a clinic at 4 Pines Park.

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MATCH CENTRE: Sea Eagles vs Storm live scores, teams, videos

All four of their biggest stars were contenders for player of the match honours, with Papenhuyzen contributing 18 points from a try and seven goals from as many attempts.

Munster scored a four-pointer and laid on another two. Hughes delivered the last pass to a few try assists and Grant was, well, Harry Grant.

The Storm suffered a shock loss to the Dragons last week but a win against Manly was almost inevitable considering Melbourne had not lost back-to-back games for two seasons and in that period averaged 38 points in matches after they tasted defeat.

A six-minute blitz in the first half where they scored three converted tries and another five-minute period in the second stanza that produced another 18 points was enough to see the Storm put the game out of reach before they eventually embarrassed Manly 48-24.

The Manly faithful turned out in force for the third Sunday in a row, but they were silenced 11 minutes into the first half when Munster popped a sublime short ball for Stefano Utoikamanu to cross next to the posts.

Reuben Garrick then put the kickoff out on the full and three tackles later Munster was at it again, dummying and stepping through some feeble Manly defence to put the Storm up 12-2.

Three minutes later the Storm went the length of the field and Grant Anderson crossed out wide and suddenly, within a six minute period, Melbourne had turned the game on its head.

Midway through the second half, after Bronson Garlick scored Melbourne’s fourth try in ten minutes, the Manly fans began to head for the exits. When Jack Howarth scored their eighth of the day four minutes later, it was a full scale mass exodus.

It was a sorry sight, but the Sea Eagles had no answers for a Melbourne side that had not won at Brookvale since 2020.

Unsung Anderson

While Grant Anderson might not have the resume of Hughes, Munster, Grant or Papenhuyzen, the versatile outside back brings undeniable value to this Melbourne side.

Named in the centres but playing on the wing, Anderson scored a treble and was a handful almost every time he had the ball.

He may not be the first picked each week but few players in the NRL can come in and out of a team with as much ease and class as Anderson.

Leo’s debut Koula’d

Moses Leo, who played 82 games for the New Zealand Rugby 7s team, including at the 2024 Paris Olympics, made a solid debut for the Storm at right centre.

His opposite Tolu Koula put Leo’s defence under the microscope as Manly sent wave after wave down their left side and the rugby convert was finally caught out when he rushed out of the line on Luke Brooks, creating a hole for Koula to pour through and score.

Leo had originally signed with Melbourne for the 2026 and 2027 seasons but joined the Storm squad a year early after New Zealand Rugby granted him an early release from his 7s contract.

Haumole’s blue appeal

In a week where Canberra’s Hudson Young highlighted his credentials and support began brewing for Bulldog Jacob Preston, Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu reminded Laurie Daley and NSW State of Origin selectors that he too would not be out of place in a Blue jersey.

Angus Crichton and Liam Martin rightly will have first crack as NSW’s starting backrowers for game one but Young, Preston, Olakau’atu and Souths Keaon Koloamatangi have all started the season in fine form.

Despite being on the wrong side of the scoreboard and with limited second half opportunities, Olakau’atu showed glimpses of his damaging best at stages during the first half.

Late in the game he powered through Melbourne’s left side defence and ran 50 metres before offloading to Jason Saab to score.

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MATCH PREVIEW

The Storm have received a huge boost ahead of their clash with the Sea Eagles, with star halfback Jahrome Hughes returning ahead of schedule from a broken hand.

Former Sevens star Moses Leo debuts at centre, with Grant Anderson shifting to the wing for Will Warbrick (concussion) and Tyran Wishart shifting to the bench. Lazarus Vaalepu moves to 18th man.

For Manly, Toafofoa Sipley starts at prop with Nathan Brown shifting to the pine.

The Kiwi international had surgery on the injury, inserting a plate into his hand following the blow which was suffered in Round 3.

The 30-year-old was initially scheduled to return in Round 6, but will take the field only 17 days after his side’s win over the Panthers in March 20.

Hughes’ inclusion is significant for the Storm, who will be desperate to bounce back after going down to the Dragons in their last outing.

Meanwhile, the Sea Eagles come into this clash on the back of two impressive wins over the Raiders and Eels.

Anthony Seibold will be without superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic, who suffered a suspected MCL injury in Round 4 on return from a separate hamstring injury.

“This is my third year coaching him now, and just his preparation is so diligent, and I think anyone who knows Turbo, he puts in so much time,” Seibold said.

“So, in some ways, like, life’s not fair, because you can understand if he wasn’t doing the work and doing all this reconditioning, his injury prevention and so on.

“So unfortunately, today was tough, a tough day for him and we’re disappointed to lose him there.”

TEAMS

Sea Eagles team: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Clayton Faulalo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 17. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 8. Nathan Brown 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor. 18th man: 18. Aaron Schoupp

Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 4. Grant Anderson 3. Jack Howarth 21. Moses Leo 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 22. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 7. Tyran Wishart 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 18th man: 17. Lazarus Vaalepu