No Cameron Munster, no worries for the Storm, according to Brad Fittler who considers another star to be Melbourne’s most valuable.
Munster will miss Thursday night’s clash with the Sea Eagles after injuring his shoulder in State of Origin II.
He is considered by many to be rugby league’s premier player, yet Munster’s absence hasn’t swayed Fittler to tip against the Storm for one key reason.
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“I do think the most valuable player for Melbourne at the moment is (Jahrome) Hughes,” Fittler told Andrew Johns for Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and The Eighth’s Tips.
“When he plays they win. He’s been so good.”
Fittler added in Freddy and The Eighth that Hughes was the reason the Kangaroos had a genuine reason to fear the Kiwis at this World Cup for the first time in years.
The 27-year-old is now the clear first choice No.7 for New Zealand having claimed the jersey from long-term halfback and former Golden Boot winner Shaun Johnson.
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“I don’t think they’ve had a team like that for a while,” Fittler said, reflecting on the Kiwis’ dominant performance to put Tonga to the sword on Saturday.
“I think the halfback Hughes gives me an awful lot of confidence. He’s just a top-line player.”
Fittler said the Storm “don’t lose these games” even with personnel out and their backs against the wall.
Yet his argument couldn’t sway Johns, who’s tipping the upset with Manly playing at their home ground.
“I’ve just got a feeling,” Johns said. “I don’t know where the feeling is, but I’ve got a feeling.”
Scroll below for the current leaderboard and Round 16 tips by Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler and all Nine’s expert tipsters!
Andrew Johns: Sea Eagles, Knights, Panthers, Souths, Cowboys, Dragons, Warriors, Bulldogs
Brad Fittler: Storm, Titans, Panthers, Sharks, Cowboys, Eels, Warriors, Dragons
Ruan Sims: Storm, Titans, Panthers, Sharks, Broncos, Eels, Warriors, Dragons
Allana Ferguson: Storm, Titans, Panthers, Sharks, Broncos, Eels, Warriors, Dragons
Dave Middleton: Storm, Knights, Panthers, Sharks, Cowboys, Eels, Warriors, Dragons
Mat Thompson: Storm, Knights, Panthers, Sharks, Cowboys, Eels, Warriors, Dragons
Michael Chammas: Storm, Knights, Panthers, Sharks, Cowboys, Eels, Warriors, Dragons
Peter Psaltis: Storm, Knights, Panthers, Sharks, Cowboys, Eels, Warriors, Dragons
Billy Slater: Storm, Titans, Panthers, Sharks, Broncos, Eels, Warriors, Dragons
Darren Lockyer: Broncos, Panthers, Eels, Warriors, Dragons, Storm, Sharks, Knights
Paul Gallen: Storm, Knights, Panthers, Sharks, Cowboys, Eels, Tigers, Raiders
The Mole: Storm, Panthers, Sharks, Cowboys, Titans, Eels, Warriors, Raiders
Ben Glover: Sea Eagles, Titans, Panthers, Sharks, Cowboys, Eels, Warriors, Raiders
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