Rugby league legend Justin Hodges tips NZ Warriors to upset Melbourne Storm in their Anzac Day NRL clash.
The Warriors sit two spots above the Storm on the ladder in sixth, with an extra win on the board, but head into the fixture as underdogs.
Their longstanding losing streak against the Storm turned over its most miserable chapter in last year's Anzac Day match. Melbourne scored 54 unanswered points to triumph 70-10, handing the Warriors their biggest defeat in club history.
Despite not beating the Storm in the last decade, Hodges believes the Warriors will come out on top, alluding to their performances pre-2014.
"They've always been a bogey side for the Melbourne Storm," he said. "The Warriors have always fought, always stuck it to them and gave them a good contest.
"I know every time we played them [Storm], we just couldn't get over the line for whatever reason, but the Warriors are unpredictable. They're big, they're powerful, they're intimidating and I'm pretty sure they're going to do the same thing again against the Storm.
"Everyone writes the Warriors off against them, but I tell you what, they're a good, classy side and I think they will probably beat them."
The Warriors' stunning turnaround comes after a disastrous 2022 campaign - their worst in club history. With only six wins from 24 matches, the Warriors finished just one spot off the wooden spoon.
Their resurgence has seen them adopt a newfound resilience under first-year coach Andrew Webster.
Brisbane Broncos legend Hodges reveals he's always been a Warriors fan from afar and hopes to see them in the Grand Final.
"I've always been impressed with the Warriors," he said. "Everyone wants them to do well, they're such a classy side.
"Their football is a little bit unpredictable, which is fine, because it suits their style. You don't want to change them into a structured team, because they've never been that.
"It's just good to see them play good, consistent footy - that's what everyone wants to see as a rugby league fan. You want to see them on top doing well, it's good for the game.
"They've had a hard couple of years with COVID-19, they had to move away from home and live away from family, and those guys have done it really tough.
"It's good to see them playing at home, it's good to see them back with their families and they're playing fantastic footy.
"Hopefully, they can keep it going and, hopefully, they can get to the Grand Final. I remember playing them in 2002, they were a quality side then."
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