‘I think I can really flourish here’: Will Warbrick’s key role in getting sevens star Moses Leo to sign with the Storm

The Storm helped turn Will Warbrick into an NRL star, and they’ll be hoping for more of the same with their latest sevens recruit.

Rugby league was always an option for Moses Leo, and seeing Will Warbrick make the successful transition and carve up at the Storm made Melbourne the perfect landing spot for the Olympian who has joined the minor premiers earlier than expected.

Leo was originally meant to make the switch in 2026, but New Zealand Rugby granted him an early release from his sevens contract last month that freed him up to make the move to Australia.

The 27-year-old debuted with the All Blacks sevens squad in 2022 and has represented New Zealand at both the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

He scored two tries against Australia in the bronze medal match at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, while he was in the squad that lost to South Africa in the quarter-finals in Paris earlier this year.

Moses Leo has joined the Storm a year earlier than expected after representing New Zealand at the Olympics. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images

“I was really keen to get here sooner rather than later,” he said.

“The way that things unfolded, I was fortunate enough to get a release from New Zealand and get over earlier to soak up all the information that I can to make the transition as best as possible to maximise my potential.”

Leo has already started training with his Storm teammates, with the new recruit eager to reunite with Warbrick, who inspired him to switch codes.

Warbrick has been one of the true success stories in Melbourne, with the winger scoring 32 tries for the Storm and earning a Kiwis debut in this year’s Pacific Championships after he too made the move from sevens.

“Back in sevens, I did live with Will for a bit of a stint,” Leo revealed.

“Seeing his success made it a real option for me, especially this team with the environment and what they breed attracted me to make the switch.

“Seeing ‘Brick’ be successful was really motivating for me.”

Leo has been inspired by Will Warbrick, who also switched from sevens and has been a revelation on the wing for Melbourne. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Leo is no stranger to rugby league having played wing and centre at school, and he accepts there are no guarantees for him at the Storm who have a settled backline that helped them reach the grand final a few weeks ago.

Warbrick spent his first year at the club playing in the Queensland Cup, and that’s a genuine possibility for Leo, who is confident he can “flourish” in the NRL.

“There are no expectations there,” he said.

“I’m just trying to be the best man I can be and do what’s best for the team. Hopefully, I can drive the boys to be better and whatever is best for the team, whether I’m on the field or not.

“I’ve always thought for me that league was an option, and I really enjoyed playing league back in my younger days.

“Things off-field made sense for me to be based in Australia to give my family an opportunity to see me play as well.

“I really like the challenge that it possesses. I’m always looking to get better, and I think I can really flourish here.”