Storm’s form on the line

MELBOURNE STORM prop Jesse Bromwich says his side needs to beat the St George-Illawarra Dragons in Napier today to prove they can maintain top form.

The Storm thumped a hapless Penrith Panthers 52-10 at AAMI Park last round, ending a four-game losing streak.

But in Napier they face a troublesome Dragons lineup which has lost their past six games yet continue to threaten for parts of each game.

Both sides will be playing in unfamiliar conditions as Storm sold this home game at McLean Park.

The Napier ground is best known as a batting friendly cricket ground but it has also hosted rugby union matches and has all but sold out for the NRL game.

Bromwich said the Storm needed to consolidate their good form and passionate Kiwi support with a win.

‘‘The Dragons will be looking for a big game because they need to start winning games but for us we have to just got to backup our last performance,’’ the Kiwis prop said.

‘‘At this time of year it gets very cold in New Zealand and usually rains but it looks like it will be four or five degrees at game time with no rain so it will be colder than we are used to.’’

The Storm’s cause last round was boosted by captain Cameron Smith’s 300th game but Bromwich said milestones shouldn’t be the reason the Storm play well.

‘‘It was awesome we could get up for our captain’s 300th game and we were all happy for him and proud of way we went about it,’’ Bromwich said.

‘‘The challenge we have at the moment is backing up the way we performed and the way we trained.’’

Storm utility Tohu Harris has been the centre of attention this week as he comes from Waipatu, which is a 30-minute drive south of Napier.

Harris won’t be the only Kiwi on show with Jesse and Kenny Bromwich, Kevin Proctor and Nelson Asofa-Solomona all named in the Storm side while Kiwi star Benji Marshall was named to start at half back for the Dragons.

The game will be the Storm’s second game in New Zealand in three weeks after losing to the Warriors in Auckland two rounds ago.

‘‘To go over twice in one year is special and something we never do,’’ Bromwich said.

‘‘Us Kiwis are looking forward to the Aussie guys are too.’’

While Bromwich has starred for the Storm for several seasons, 19-year-old forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona had one of the best games of his career in the win over the Panthers with 103 all-run metres in just 37 minutes.

Bromwich said the 200cm, 115kg teenager would go far in the sport.

‘‘Nelson had his best game of the season for us and was just what we needed,’’ Bromwich said.

‘‘He is only a young fella but he is already a big boy and is learning his place in the game.’’

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