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Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy says he's taken tips from the Super Rugby perennial champions the Crusaders ahead of the Anzac Day NRL clash with the Warriors.
Melbourne Storm have been dipping into the knowledge of Super Rugby powerhouse the Crusaders as they prepare for their Anzac Day NRL clash with the Warriors.
Super Rugby are hosting their version of the NRL's Magic Round at Melbourne's AAMI Park, with all five Kiwi teams in town.
The Storm captain's run attracting many interested onlookers including the Crusaders coaching staff, while Wallabies coach Dave Rennie and his attack coach Scott Wisemantel were also on the sidelines for the session to soak up clues to the Storm's success.
Not that the Crusaders need any help, having won a record 10 Super Rugby titles before two Super Rugby Aotearoa crowns in the past two years.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said he met with Crusaders coach Scott Robertson this weekend, continuing their exchange of information.
"We went over there yesterday and had a look at their meeting before their captain's run and had a coffee," Bellamy said on Sunday.
"And they've come today to basically do the same.
"They're such a great club and have been for such long time.
"There's a couple of things when we've met up with them that we've taken on board."
Bellamy said he wanted to "keep to himself" what he took from those meetings.
The Storm are unbeaten in the ANZAC fixture against the Warriors since 2014 and last year dominated with a 42-20 scoreline.
While Melbourne sit second with just the one loss, the Warriors are travelling fairly well with three wins and three losses, including a tight 22-14 loss to the Sydney Roosters last round.
Bellamy thought the addition this year of playmaker Shaun Johnson as well as prop Matt Lodge, who missed last round with a side strain, could give the Warriors some added punch.
"We're expecting a tough tussle and they've played some real good footy this year," Bellamy said.
"Their defence has improved and they've always had dangerous ball-carriers and that certainly hasn't changed.
"Shaun Johnson is hugely experienced and Matt Lodge and (Addin) Fonua-Blake both do a great job - they're hard guys to handle and they've got a bit of skill about them as well."
Melbourne have skipper Jesse Bromwich and his brother Kenny returning from COVID-19 to take their place in the starting line-up.
"Jesse was in bed for four or five days while Kenny wasn't affected at all," Bellamy said.
"But they've both trained really good this week."
