If the NRL season was underway today, NZ Warriors would face their traditional Anzac Day adversaries, Melbourne Storm.
Before 2009, the Warriors had never played on Anzac day.
Since then (with the exception in 2015, when the Warriors hosted Gold Coast Titans to mark the 100-year anniversary), the two rivals have squared off across the Tasman.
Rugby league and Anzac Day have a long tradition - the first match played on April 25 was in 1927, between Glebe and Western Suburbs.
St George and Eastern Suburbs clashed on Anzac Day in 1959, 1961, 1978, 1979, and since 2002, St George Illawarra and Sydney Roosters have re-ignited this game.
Since '09, the Warriors v Storm fixture has become one of the most popular on the calendar. While Melbourne hold the upper hand in these contests, the rivalry is strong between the two teams.
They compete for the Michael Moore Trophy, which was introduced after the inaugural Anzac Day game and took its name from the former Storm general manager, who died before a Warriors match in Auckland 20 years ago.
Golden-point thriller: Storm 14 Warriors 14 at Olympic Park, 2009
The first contest between the two sides could not have provided a more dramatic contest, with both sides still locked together for a rare draw after 90 minutes.
The Warriors rallied from 14-6 down to level the match and force the game into 'golden point'. Two minutes into sudden death, Stacey Jones' attempt from 15m out hit the left upright and missed.
Then, with seconds remaining, Lance Hohaia slotted what he thought was the game winner, but Jones had knocked the ball on at the ruck before throwing the pass and the video referee ruled it out.
There was a scary moment during the game, when Storm wing Anthony Quinn was knocked out and had to be taken to hospital.
Meanwhile, Warriors forward Michael Luck broke the record for most tackles in an NRL game with 74.
Storm 14 (Steve Turner, Billy Slater, Will Chambers tries; Cameron Smith conversion) Warriors 14 (Manu Vatuvei 2, Patrick Ah Van tries; Denan Kemp penalty)
Storm: 1-Billy Slater, 2-Steve Turner, 3-Will Chambers, 4-Greg Inglis, 5-Anthony Quinn, 20-Brett Finch, 7-Cooper Cronk, 8-Jeff Lima, 9-Cameron Smith (c), 10-Adam Blair, 11-Ryan Hoffman, 15-Wairangi Koopu, 13-Dallas Johnson
Interchange: 11-Kevin Proctor, 14-Ryan Hinchcliffe 16-Aiden Tolman, 19-Brett White
Warriors: 1-Lance Hohaia, 2-Denan Kemp, 3-Simon Mannering, 4-Jerome Ropati, 5-Manu Vatuvei, 6-Joel Moon, 7-Stacey Jones, 16-Jesse Royal, 9-Ian Henderson, 10-Steve Price (c), 11-Ben Matulino 12-Jacob Lillyman, 13-Micheal Luck
Interchange: 8-Sam Rapira, 14-Nathan Fien, 15-Russell Packer, 17-Patrick Ah Van
Fired-up Melbourne make statement: Storm 40 Warriors 6 at Etihad Stadium, 2010
The Warriors were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, as a motivated Storm side ran riot in their first match, since the explosive salary-cap scandal.
Days before the encounter, Melbourne were stripped of their 2007 and 2009 titles, and told they wouldn't receive any competition points for the season, after the discovery of substantial salary cap breaches worth millions, dating back five years.
Craig Bellamy's side vented their frustrations in a one-sided contest, showing their intentions from the first hit-up to the last tackle of the game.
The hosts were clinical in establishing a 22-0 halftime lead and finished with seven tries, with the Warriors' only points coming when Ukuma Ta'ai crossed and James Maloney added the extras off the boot.
Overall, the Storm outscored the Warriors seven-tries-to-one, with 19-year-old Kiwi rookie wing Matt Duffie scoring a brace.
This week marked the 10-year anniversary of the scandal and retired fullback Billy Slater said the incident benefited his club in the long run.
"To look back, and to see how much uncertainty and how much hardship that club went through, and the people involved in it, and to go on and lose so many players at the end of 2010 and win the minor premiership in 2011 and the premiership in 2012... I think it's actually enhanced the club in terms of the culture and how it galvanised it," he told Wide World of Sports Radio.
Storm 40 (Matt Duffie 2, Cameron Smith, Adam Blair, Ryan Tandy, Willie Isa, Billy Slater tries; Cameron Smith 6 conversions) Warriors 6 (Ukuma Ta'ai try; James Maloney conversion)
Melbourne: 1-Billy Slater, 20-Matt Duffie, 21-Willie Isa, 22-Gareth Widdop, 5-Anthony Quinn, 6-Brett Finch, 7-Cooper Cronk, 8-Aiden Tolman, 9-Cameron Smith (c), 17-Bryan Norrie, 11-Adam Blair, 12-Ryan Hoffman, 14-Todd Lowrie
Interchange: 10-Jeff Lima, 3-Ryan Hinchcliffe, 16-Ryan Tandy, 19-Jeff Lima
Warriors: 1-Wade McKinnon, 2-Brent Tate, 3-Joel Moon, 4-Jerome Ropati, 5-Bill Tupou, 6-Lance Hohaia, 7-James Maloney, 8-Sam Rapira, 9-Aaron Heremaia, 15- Russell Packer, 11-Lewis Brown, 12-Jacob Lillyman, 13-Micheal Luck (c)
Interchange: 10-Jesse Royal, 14-Ian Henderson, 16-Ukuma Ta'ai, 17-Ben Matulino
New Zealand redemption: Warriors 18 Storm 14 at AAMI Park, 2011
After a sluggish start to the year, a massive second-half defensive effort was required for the Warriors to get revenge on the Storm.
After Melbourne opened the scoring, the visitors scored tries through Krisnan Inu, Jacob Lillyman and Micheal Luck within 11 minutes midway through the first half to lead 18-8 at the break.
The Storm hit back early in the second half and continued to throw everything at the Warriors' defence, which didn't budge.
Melbourne had a late chance to tie the match up, but Lewis Brown came up with a try-saving tackle on Beau Champion.
That year, the Storm only lost three games in Melbourne - one to the Raiders and two to the Warriors.
Storm 14 (Beau Champion, Cooper Cronk tries; Cameron Smith 2 conversions & penalty) Warriors 18 (Krisnan Inu, Jacob Lillyman, Micheal Luck tries; James Maloney 2 conversions & penalty).
Melbourne: 1-Billy Slater, 2-Anthony Quinn, 3-Dane Nielsen, 4-Beau Champion, 5-Matt Duffie, 6-Gareth Widdop, 7-Cooper Cronk, 8-Jesse Bromwich, 9-Cameron Smith (c), 10-Bryan Norrie, 11-Adam Blair, 12-Kevin Proctor, 13-Ryan Hinchcliffe.
Interchange: 14-Todd Lowrie, 15-Atelea Vea, 16-Adam Woolnough, 17-Jaiman Lowe.
Warriors: 1-Lance Hohaia, 23-Kevin Locke, 3-Lewis Brown, 4-Simon Mannering (c), 5-Krisnan Inu, 6-James Maloney, 7-Brett Seymour, 8-Sam Rapira, 9-Aaron Heremaia, 10-Jacob Lillyman, 11-Feleti Mateo, 12-Elijah Taylor, 13-Michael Luck.
Interchange: 14-Alehana Mara, 16-Ben Matulino, 17-Ukuma Ta'ai, 20-Russell Packer.
Late onslaught sees Melbourne home: Storm 32 Warriors 14 at AAMI Park, 2012
Another close finish appeared on the cards, until three tries in the final 11 minutes saw the Storm reign supreme.
With the scores locked at 14-14 entering the closing stages, two tries to Will Chambers and one to Dane Nielsen helped seal a comprehensive victory for the hosts.
The Warriors were dealt a blow in the early stages of the match, when Kevin Locke left the field injured and Krisnan Inu moved to fullback.
Inu made two costly secord-half errors that led to Storm tries with the game hanging in the balance.
Bill Tupou's brace of tries was a highlight for the Warriors, with the winger scoring two challenging put-downs.
Melbourne 32 (Will Chambers 3, Dane Nielsen 2, Justin O'Neill tries; Cameron Smith 4 conversions) Warriors 14 (Bill Tupou 2, Lewis Brown tries; James Maloney conversion).
Storm: 1-Billy Slater, 2-Matt Duffie, 3-Dane Nielsen, 4-Will Chambers, 5-Justin O'Neill, 6-Gareth Widdop, 7-Cooper Cronk, 8-Jesse Bromwich, 9-Cameron Smith (c), 17-Jason Ryles, 11-Kevin Proctor, 12-Ryan Hoffman, 14-Ryan Hinchcliffe.
Interchange: 10- Bryan Norrie, 15-Rory Kostjasyn, 18-Anthony Quinn, 19-Jaiman Lowe.
Warriors: 1-Kevin Locke, 2-Bill Tupou, 3-Ben Henry, 4-Krisnan Inu, 5-Manu Vatuvei, 6-James Maloney, 18-Pita Godinet, 14-Russell Packer, 9-Nathan Friend, 10-Ben Matulino, 16-Lewis Brown, 12-Simon Mannering (c), 13-Elijah Taylor
Interchange: 8-Sione Lousi, 11-Feleti Mateo, 15-Ukuma Ta’ai, 17-Sam Rapira
Melborune go back-to-back: Storm 28 Warriors 18 at AAMI Park, 2013
In similar circumstances to the previous year, this game was in the balance into the closing stages, before the Storm pulled away to secure victory.
The Warriors led 18-16 with 10 minutes left, when Chambers broke the line and eventually scored. Billy Slater sealed the win with a late try under the posts.
Storm 28 (Will Chambers 2, Mahe Fonua, Sisa Waqa, Billy Slater tries; Cameron Smith 4 conversions) Warriors 18 (Ben Henry, Bill Tupou, Shaun Johnson tries; Shaun Johnson 2 conversions & penalty).
Storm: 1-Billy Slater, 2-Sisa Waqa, 3-Will Chambers, 20-Justin O'Neill, 5-Mahe Fonua, 6-Gareth Widdop, 7-Cooper Cronk, 8-Jesse Bromwich, 9-Cameron Smith (c), 10-Bryan Norrie, 11-Kevin Proctor, 12-Ryan Hoffman, 13-Tohu Harris.
Interchange: 14-Jason Ryles, 15-Junior Moors, 16-Lagi Setu, 18-Slade Griffin
Warriors: 1-Kevin Locke, 2-Bill Tupou, 3-Konrad Hurrell, 18-Jerome Ropati, 4-Ngani Laumape, 6-Thomas Leuluai, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-Sam Rapira (c), 9-Nathan Friend, 10-Russell Packer, 11-Feleti Mateo, 12-Ben Henry, 13-Todd Lowrie.
Interchange: 14-Elijah Taylor, 15-Ben Matulino, 16-Jacob Lillyman, 17-Pita Godinet.
New Zealand bounce back: Warriors 16 Storm 10 at AAMI Park, 2014
The Warriors claimed their second Anzac victory with a spirited showing and some clinical play.
Rookie wing David Fusitu'a opened the scoring with his first NRL try, before Feleti Mateo helped extend the lead.
The Storm hit back with two tries either side of halftime and they came close to taking the lead, when Slater placed the ball millimetres from the try-line.
Fusitu'a then combined with Shaun Johnson, for the halfback to score the game-winning try.
The win was Andrew McFadden's first as Warriors coach and the last time the Auckland-based side won on April 25.
Storm 10 (Kevin Proctor, Young Tonumaipea tries; Cameron Smith conversion) Warriors 16 (David Fusitu'a, Feleti Mateo, Shaun Johnson tries; Shaun Johnson conversion & penalty)
Storm: 1-Billy Slater, 2-Sisa Waqa, 3-Mahe Fonua, 4-Justin O'Neill, 5-Young Tonumaipea 6-Ben Hampton, 7-Cooper Cronk, 8-Jesse Bromwich, 9-Cameron Smith (c), 10-Bryan Norrie, 11-Kevin Proctor, 12-Ryan Hoffman, 13-Ryan Hinchcliffe
Interchange: 14-Kenny Bromwich, 15-Tohu Harris, 16-Mitch Garbutt, 17-George Rose
Warriors: 1-Sam Tomkins, 2-David Fusitua, 14-Ben Henry, 4-Ngani Laumape, 5-Manu Vatuvei 6-Chad Townsend, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-Sam Rapira, 9-Nathan Friend, 10-Jacob Lillyman, 11-Jayson Bukuya, 12-Simon Mannering (c), 13-Sebastine Ikahihifo
Interchange: 14-Siliva Havili, 15-Suaia Matagi, 16-Feleti Mateo, 20-Konrad Hurrell
Gold Coast spoil historic match: Titans 32 Warriors 28 at Mt Smart Stadium, 2015
With the 100-year anniversary to mark Anzac Day, the Warriors hosted their first match on April 25, but it turned out to be a disappointing display, as the Titans claimed their first win over the Warriors since the 2010 finals.
The Warriors held a six-point buffer at the break, but in the second stanza, the hosts were outscored 20-10.
The Warriors lost David Fusitu'a, Ryan Hoffman and Jacob Lillyman in the second half, when halfback Kane Elgey led the Titans resurgence to lead 32-18.
Two late Warriors tries made the scoreline respectable, but after the match, coach McFadden admitted they shouldn't lose at home when scoring 28 points.
Warriors 28 (David Fusitu'a, Ben Matulino, Jonathan Wright, Solomone Kata, Bodene Thompson tries; Shaun Johnson 4 conversions) Gold Coast 32 (Kane Elgey 2, Anthony Don, Ryan James, James Roberts, Kierran Moseley tries; Aidan Sezer 4 conversions)
Warriors: 1-Tuimoala Lolohea, 2-Jonathan Wright, 3-David Fusitu'a, 4-Solomone Kata, 5-Manu Vatuvei, 6-Chad Townsend, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-Jacob Lillyman, 9-Thomas Leuluai, 10-Ben Matulino, 11-Bodene Thompson, 12-Ryan Hoffman, 13-Simon Mannering (c).
Interchange: 14-Nathan Friend, 15-Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 16-Sam Lisone, 17-Sam Rapira.
Titans: 1-Josh Hoffman, 2-Anthony Don, 3-James Roberts, 4-William Zillman, 5-David Mead, 6-Aidan Sezer, 7-Kane Elgey, 8-Luke Douglas, 9-Beau Falloon, 10-Nate Myles (c), 11-Ryan James, 12-Lachlan Burr, 13-Greg Bird.
Interchange: 14-Matt White, 15-Eddy Pettybourne, 16-Matt Robinson, 17-Kierran Moseley
Surging Melbourne shut out New Zealand: Storm 42 Warriors 0 at AAMI Park, 2016
The Warriors were no match, as they were shut out in a one-sided contest.
Melbourne dominated possession, while the Warriors had no luck, losing fullback Tuimoala Lolohea to injury, with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck already ruled out for the season.
Overall, the Storm completed 36 of their 44 sets, while the Warriors only managed 21 of 30.
The Storm led 28-0 at the break and while the Warriors were more courageous on defence in the second half, on attack, the best they could come up with was a goal-line dropout, while Fusitu'a was also denied in the corner by the video referee in the corner.
Afterwards, Manu Vatuvei, Ben Matulino and Bodene Thompson, Sam Lisone, Konrad Hurrell and Albert Vete were stood down by the club, after they mixed prescription drugs with energy drinks.
Storm 42 (Suliasi Vunivalu 2, Tohu Harris, Tim Glasby, Jesse Bromwich, Marika Koroibete, Cameron Munster, Cooper Cronk tries; Cameron Smith 5 conversions) Warriors 0
Storm: 1-Cameron Munster, 18-Suliasi Vunivalu, 2-Young Tonumaipea, 3-Richard Kennar, 5-Marika Koroibete, 6-Blake Green, 7-Cooper Cronk, 8-Jesse Bromwich, 9-Cameron Smith (c), 15-Tim Glasby, 11-Kevin Proctor, 12-Tohu Harris, 13-Dale Finucane
Interchange: 4-Ben Hampton, 10-Jordan McLean, 14-Kenny Bromwich, 17-Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Warriors: 1-Tuimoala Lolohea, 2-David Fusitu'a, 3-Blake Ayshford, 4-Solomone Kata, 5-Manu Vatuvei, 6-Thomas Leuluai, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-Sam Lisone, 9-Issac Luke, 10-Ben Matulino, 11-Bodene Thompson, 12-Ryan Hoffman (c), 13-Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14-Jonathan Wright, 15-Jacob Lillyman, 16-Charlie Gubb, 17-Ligi Sao
New Zealand show fight, but Melbourne rally late: Storm 20 Warriors 14 at AAMI Park, 2017
In similar circumstances to previous years, the Warriors managed to lead at some stage in the second half, before the Storm claimed the spoils.
The Warriors showed more fight than last year, but it still wasn't enough to compete with the NRL's high-flyers.
This time, a David Fusitu'a try double helped the visitors lead 14-12 with 15 minutes remaining, when Storm speedster Josh Addo-Carr somehow stayed in the field of play to score in the corner.
Feliese Kaufusi scored late to put the result beyond doubt.
Part of the Storm fightback was down to Will Chambers, who terrorised the Warriors in the second half, after Kata was ruled out with injury and Thommpson was shifted into the centres.
Storm 20 (Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Cooper Cronk, Josh Addo-Carr, Felise Kaufusi tries; Cameron Smith conversion & penalty) Warriors 14 (David Fusitu'a 2 tries; Shaun Johnson conversion & 2 penalties)
Storm: 1-Billy Slater, 2-Suliasi Vunivalu, 3-Will Chambers, 4-Cheyse Blair, 5-Josh Addo-Carr, 17-Cameron Munster, 7-Cooper Cronk, 8-Jesse Bromwich, 9-Cameron Smith (c), 10-Jordan McLean, 11-Felise Kaufusi, 19-Joe Stimson, 13-Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14-Ryley Jacks, 15-Christian Welch, 16-Tim Glasby, 19-Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Warriors: 1-Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 2-David Fusitu'a, 3-Blake Ayshford, 4-Solomone Kata, 5-Ken Maumalo, 6-Kieran Foran, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-James Gavet, 9-Issac Luke, 10-Jacob Lillyman, 11-Bodene Thompson, 12-Ryan Hoffman, 13-Simon Mannering.
Interchange: 14-Nathaniel Roache, 15-Ligi Sao, 16-Sam Lisone, 18-Ben Matulino.
Melbourne run riot in high-scoring contest: Storm 50 Warriors 10 at AAMI Park, 2018
Once again the Warriors were scratchy against the Storm, who set the tempo from the start.
A magical try to halfback Ryley Jacks in the opening minutes was a small sample of what was to come, as everything the hosts did turned to gold.
They scored tries every way possible from kicks, simple set plays and even length-of-the-field breakaways to lead 38-0 at the break.
A brace of tries to David Fusitu'a helped the Warriors, who headed into the match as joint NRL leaders, but the Storm scored two more tries to bring up the half-century.
After the match, coach Syephen Kearney had no answers saying: "It was one of those nights."
Storm 50 (Ryley Jacks 2, Josh Addo-Carr 2, Ryan Hoffman, Christian Welch, Billy Slater, Young Tonumaipea tries; Cameron Smith 8 conversions & penalty) Warriors 10 (David Fusitu'a 2 tries; Mason Lino conversion).
Melbourne: 1-Billy Slater, 21-Young Tonumaipea, 3-Will Chambers, 4-Curtis Scott, 5-Josh Addo-Carr, 6-Cameron Munster, 7-Ryley Jacks, 8-Tim Glasby, 9-Cameron Smith (c), 10-Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11-Felise Kaufusi, 12-Ryan Hoffman, 15-Christian Welch.
Interchange: 14-Brandon Smith, 15-Kenny Bromwich, 16-Sam Kasiano, 17-Joe Stimson.
Warriors: 1-Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 2-David Fusitu'a, 3-Peta Hiku, 4-Anthony Gelling, 5-Ken Maumalo, 6-Blake Green, 7-Mason Lino, 8-Bunty Afoa, 9-Issac Luke, 10-Agnatius Paasi, 11-Simon Mannering, 12-Isaiah Papali'i, 13-Adam Blair
Interchange: 14-Jazz Tevaga, 15-Sam Lisone, 16-Albert Vete, 20-Joe Vuna
Controversy costs New Zealand in thriller: Storm 13 Warriors 12 at AAMI Park, 2019
A reshuffled Warriors side came close to securing a famous win, but some late controversy cost Stephen Kearney's men.
The Storm were outplayed by an undermanned Warriors outfit for much of the night and had to wait until a Brodie Croft field goal with three minutes remaining to clinch victory.
Tries to Adam Blair and Ken Maumalo saw the Warriors led 12-10 with five minutes remaining, when Isaiah Papali'i was penalised for not releasing and the Storm took a penalty to level the match.
In the following set, Croft kicked the game-winning field goal.
In the days after, NRL head of football Graham Annesley admitted the referee got the Papali'i call wrong and should have awarded a scrum to the Warriors.
When asked about the call afterwards, Kearney said, "Don't get me started" and felt his side deserved to win the match, after a tremendous effort on both sides of the ball.
Storm 13 (Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes tries; Cameron Munster conversion & penalty; Brodie Croft field goal) Warriors 12 (Adam Blair, Ken Maumalo tries; Chanel Harris-Tavita conversion & penalty)
Storm: 1-Jahrome Hughes, 2-Suliasi Vunivalu, 3-Will Chambers, 17-Marion Seve, 5-Josh Addo-Carr, 6-Cameron Munster, 7-Brodie Croft, 8-Jesse Bromwich, 9-Cameron Smith (c), 15-Christian Welch, 11-Felise Kaufusi, 12-Kenny Bromwich, 13-Dale Finucane
Interchange: 10-Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 14-Brandon Smith, 16-Tui Kamikamica, 21-Ryan Papenhuyzen
Warriors: 3-Peta Hiku, 2-Gerard Beale, 22-Blake Ayshford, 21-Patrick Herbert, 5-Ken Maumalo, 12-Tohu Harris (c), 6-Chanel Harris-Tavita, 8-Agnatius Paasi, 9-Issac Luke, 10-Leeson Ah Mau, 11-Adam Blair, 15-Isaiah Papali'i, 13-Lachlan Burr
Interchange: 14-Jazz Tevaga, 16-Bunty Afoa, 17-Nathaniel Roache, 18-Hayze Perham
