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Melbourne Storm duo Felise Kaufusi and Christian Welch ready for spotlight in Anzac Day clash
By Roy Ward
For the last few years Christian Welch was in the AAMI Park stands when the Melbourne Storm took on the New Zealand Warriors in their annual Anzac night game.
Last year Felise Kaufusi was cooling his heels too but on Tuesday night both forwards will have crucial roles with Kaufusi now a starting second rower and Welch a pivotal interchange forward.
Storm front: Melbourne's Felise Kaufusi tries to evade a Broncos tackle at AAMI Park in round three.Credit: Getty Images
Both players re-signed with the Storm last week with Welch signing for two years and Kaufusi for one year with an option of a second - both had offers to leave but remained in Victoria.
While the Storm forward is excited about his Anzac debut, he's keeping the occasion in perspective.
Fend off: Christian Welch keeps Manly's Darcy Lussick at bay in round seven action.Credit: Getty Images
"It's certainly one of the great games of the calendar year for us Storm guys and it's a privilege for our club to play on Anzac Day," Welch said.
"The tradition of playing the Warriors is something we really respect and it's a big day for us all.
"Every NRL game I get selected in is a special thing, this is a significant game but at the same time it is just another round of the NRL so we have to make sure we don't get overhyped about it."
So much of the NRL discussion this year has been about player movement and the Storm haven't been hidden from it having lost key players for next season and being in the market for a new playmaker to replace Cooper Cronk in 2018.
Welch and Kaufusi have already had a preview of bigger roles for next year while departing forwards Tohu Harris and Jordan McLean battled injuries.
Harris is still working towards a return while McLean has re-established himself in the side after a calf injury.
Kaufusi was an interchange player for much of last season but this campaign he hasn't missed a minute of action so the 10-day turn around since the Storm's win over Manly last round has served him well.
"I'm not used to playing 80 minutes so it has been a good break for me," Kaufusi said.
"For the team to trust me to do my job for 80 minutes has been huge, considering the last couple of years I've only averaged 20 minutes a game.
"There are different parts of the game where you get a bit buggered but you have to push through it."
The Warriors were thumped 42-0 by the Storm in last year's Anzac game so the Storm are expecting a passionate display come Tuesday night.
"Their big forward pack can do some damage and is pretty mobile too so we have to be ready for them," Kaufusi said.
The Storm take on the Warriors at AAMI Park on Anzac night at 7pm.
Manly 20 d Canberra 18
Brisbane 25 d South Sydney 24
Parramatta 18 d Penrith 12
North Queensland 24 d Newcastle 12
Gold Coast 16 d Cronulla 12