Kiwi-NRL Spotlight: Will Warbrick's Storm Development
Melbourne Storm have slid down from their perch as the best Kiwi-NRL club and will soon bid ka kite to Manurewa' Bromwich bros, plus Waiheke Island's Brandon Smith at the end of the season. This presents intrigue as to how Storm bolster their Kiwi-NRL recruitment over the next few years and Kawerau's Will Warbrick is the leading Kiwi-NRL prospect in the Storm system right now.
Warbrick falls into alignment with the Storm's Kiwi-NRL vibe. Although Storm didn't recruit Warbrick from 1st 15 rugby, Warbrick has a similar sporting background to Matt Duffie as both dabbled in Aussie rules footy as well as rugby union and league. Warbrick is tall and athletic, which is the same as Duffie, Suliasi Vunivalu and current Warriors prospect Junior Ratuva who were all recruited by Storm from 1st 15 rugby.
Storm love these types of wingers. In losing Josh Addo-Carr, Storm signed Xavier Coates and the club is getting lovely service from Nick Meaney on the other wing. Meaney and possible Aotearoa Kiwis prospect Reimis Smith were both wise to leave Bulldogs for a club where there is almost certain footy development.
In his first season with Storm, Warbrick has been tucked away in Queensland playing for Sunshine Coast Falcons where he's started three games so far; 3 tries, 4 linebreaks, 11 tackle busts and 158m/game. As a winger, Warbrick's tries have come from finishing backline moves and Warbrick appears to be a nifty finisher who is capable of swerving past a fullback, stepping his opposing winger or fending whoever wants the ahi (fire).
Warbrick has had Post Contact Metre tallies of 41pcm, 31pcm and 57pcm. Along with obvious finishing prowess, Warbrick's size and speed seems in tune with the gritty carries required at NRL level. All of which suggests Warbrick will play NRL footy this year but with Meaney and Coates named to start again this round, Warbrick will continue to develop with Sunshine Coast.
Storm has solid outside back depth. Dean Ieremia is currently out injured, Marion Seve is a fantastic job-doer, while Sua Fa'alogo is in the depth chart with Warbrick. At some point there will be an opening for Warbick on the wing and he has the luxury of competition for starting gigs at a high quality NRL club.
Storm are not the best Kiwi-NRL club right now but still sit in the upper echelon. While they will lose the Bromwich bros and Smith next season, Jahrome Hughes and Nelson Asofa-Solomona will represent Wellington at the glorious Kiwi-NRL club as well as Reimis Smith. Storm's recruitment from Aotearoa has slowed down recently and perhaps Warbrick represents a spark as Storm find value in the land of Aotearoa once again.
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