Star Melbourne fullback Billy Slater says the Storm can’t afford to deliver another lacklustre first half if they are to beat South Sydney in a battle of the NRL competition big guns.
The two unbeaten sides clash at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night in a mouth-watering preview to a possible grand final in October.
The Storm overcame Wests Tigers 26-12 on Monday night but were locked at 6-6 at halftime and didn’t hit the front until midway through the second half.
The Tigers’ game plan to slow down the ball at the ruck frustrated the home side, who struggled to build any rhythm.
Their go-slow and niggle got the better of Slater, who almost came to blows with Tigers hooker Robbie Farah.
“Credit has to go to the Tigers because I thought they played really well, especially in the first half,” Slater said.
“They got a few penalties but they were persistent with doing it and it certainly worked for them.”
But Slater didn’t think the Tigers’ tactics were a blueprint to beating the Storm.
The lopsided 14-7 penalty count, which could have been higher, also worked against the visitors.
Slater said more worrying was the Storm’s lack of energy and high error rate in the first half, which coach Craig Bellamy attributed to an extended break over Easter.
“You get a team with the strikepower that Souths have, if we give them easy field position then you might be chasing your tail and it might not be 6-6,” he said.
“They’re certainly a class side, they’ve won every game and you don’t do that by fluke.”
Halfback Cooper Cronk orchestrated the second-half surge, scoring a try of his own while having a hand in two others in another man-of-the-match showing.
Slater said Cronk had taken his game to a whole new level this season.
“He’s one guy who deserves everything he gets because he’s worked super hard to get his game to where it is today,” he said.
“He’s probably not the most naturally gifted in any of the skills of rugby league but he’s worked on those skills to be the best in the game.
“He’s now probably the best at playing straight and at kicking and it’s great to see the reward coming through.”
