The Melbourne Storm are close to optimum strength for Sunday's NRL clash with the Warriors in Auckland with their State of Origin quartet all restored to the starting line-up.
Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Ryan Hoffman are named in a 19-man squad as the reigning premiers regroup after the annual disruption caused by commitments to Queensland and New South Wales.
Melbourne have lost three of their past four games so gratefully welcome back the Maroons playmaking axis and industrious NSW second rower Hoffman.
The remainder of the squad are also refreshed after their second bye - a timely rest after the depleted Storm were thrashed 39-0 by the Bulldogs in a replay of last year's Grand Final on July 14.
Slater replaces Ben Hampton at fullback, Brett Finch moves to five-eighth for star halfback Cronk while Ryan Hinchcliffe relocates to the back row after filling on for Smith.
Hoffman's return means one-test Kiwi Tohu Harris is diverted to the interchange bench.
The only notable absentee from the Storms' top line-up is English five eighth Gareth Widdop, who suffered a season-ending hip injury last month.
Despite their heavy defeat to the Bulldogs compounding previous losses to the Wests Tigers and Gold Coast Titans, the Storm are still third on the competition ladder and equipped to maintain a top-four spot with seven games of the regular season remaining.
However, the Warriors traditionally trouble the Storm and the 28-18 scoreline in their most recent meeting on Anzac Day flattered the hosts, who needed late tries to Will Chambers and Slater to secure the competition points.
Hampton and Tim Glasby will travel with the squad on Friday as cover.
MELBOURNE STORM: Billy Slater, Sisa Waqa, Will Chambers, Maurice Blair, Justin O'Neill, Brett Finch, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith, Bryan Norrie, Kevin Proctor, Ryan Hoffman, Ryan Hinchcliffe. Interchange: Jordan McLean, Tohu Harris, Siosasa Vave, Slade Griffin, Tim Glasby (18th man), Ben Hampton (19th man).
- © Fairfax NZ News
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