Foran key target for Storm

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy says the addition of playmaker Kieran Foran has made a huge difference to the Warriors ahead of their Anzac Day clash.

The Warriors No.6 played his first game for his new NRL club in round five and Bellamy said he had improved their attack.

In his three games this month the New Zealand-based side have won two and lost one, falling to the highly-rated Raiders in Canberra last round.

"Foran makes a lot of difference," Bellamy said ahead of the Tuesday night match at AAMI Park.

"He's a really experienced player and he's a real competitor and he really straightens up their attack a lot.

"He's come in and I suppose taken over the organisation of the attack which means less responsibility on (Shaun) Johnson's shoulders so he's been real important for them."

Foran, who is off-contract and is set to return to an Australian NRL club, has been linked to a move to the Storm but Bellamy delivered an emphatic denial on Monday when asked if they were interested.

While the Storm boast the best spine in the competition in fullback Billy Slater, halfback Cooper Cronk and hooker Cameron Smith, Bellamy said he was aware of the talents of the Warriors trio in Foran, fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and hooker Issac Luke.

Bellamy said he'd been stunned by the recovery of Tuivasa-Sheck from a knee reconstruction when they met in a pre-season trial.

"Usually it takes a while to get back their speed and agility but in their trial I can't remember a guy come back from an ACL and move as well as Sheck did," Bellamy said.

"He's a freak of nature, he's such a good player."

Bellamy wouldn't reveal whether he would continue with Ryley Jacks at five- eighth or give Cameron Munster a start following his recovery from a fractured jaw.

Munster came off the bench in their hard-fought win over Manly last round.

"Both of them are in really good form so we will work out what's best for the team," Bellamy said.

"Munster's done a wonderful job for us for two years so with all due respect he's probably earnt the right to have first go but whether that's the right time this week with the time he's had out," Bellamy said.

 

Photo: PHOTOSPORT Warriors playmaker Kieran Foran.