Bigger and better things: Warbrick finally finding form at the Storm

Rugby convert Will Warbrick admits he had some doubts when he first arrived at Melbourne, but now believes the sky's the limit after notching up his first two-try performance in the NRL.

Playing in just his 10th NRL game, the explosive Kiwi winger scored a double and had third try disallowed in Storm’s win over the Broncos at AAMI Park last week.

He made his debut in Storm’s season-opener and has played every game so far this season after not being picked for a first-grade game in his first year at the club in 2022.

“I sort of had the belief when I first came over but I would have liked to transition a bit quicker than it took” Warbrick told NRL.com.

“I knew it was going to be a challenge but it took a little longer than I would have liked, but here we are 10 games into the season and I’m just grateful for the opportunity."

The Olympic silver medallist with the All Black Sevens team, Warbrick spent last season in the Queensland Cup as he worked on the nuances of rugby league and the defensive side of his game.

There were some tough times, but he is now reaping the benefits.

“It’s just the people here, I think that’s why I stuck at it,” Warbrick said.

“Last year I had my doubts in the first pre-season, but the people here in the boys and the coaches, everyone affiliated with the club, the city, it’s just a good spot and a healthy environment.

“I think that’s why I’m now starting to find some success.

I’ve worked hard and done what I’ve had to, but I’m surrounded by some pretty cool people here so I think that’s helped me grow.

Storm winger Will Warbrick

“I think it was just reality when I first came over and some things were a bit different," he reflected. “I’d played the game before, but coming into a professional environment everything is high level and I’m a competitive person.

“So when a few things weren’t going my way it was a bit of a knock on my confidence, so I’m just glad I stuck with it.”

Warbrick’s confidence is growing by the week and he predicted he would only keep getting better as the year went on.

“I feel like I’ve got a lot of potential in this game and I’m only going to get better as long as I work hard and stay on the right track,” he said.

“But I feel like I can give a lot more.”

Storm coach Craig Bellamy was full of praise for Warbrick after his performance against the Broncos last week.

“It’s taken him a while to find his groove,” Bellamy said.

“The main game he was playing before this was the Sevens for the All Blacks, so it was a big change for him last year to learn the game and I suppose he’s playing in a bit more of a confined space [in the NRL] than you do playing Sevens.

“He’s still learning a few nuances about the game, the finer points I suppose, but he’s doing a great job for us at the moment.

“When he gets an opportunity to score, he’s nailing most of them, so yeah he’s going really well for us.”

Like any self-respecting winger, Warbrick loves a try and the celebrations that follow, and let out a guttural roar when he crossed for his second try against the Broncos that sealed the win.

“It was just passion, I just wanted to win and obviously that try was scored pretty late in the game,” Warbrick said of his emotional release.

“The way the game was going meant it was pretty competitive until that point, so it was just a feeling of passion at the time.”