Will Warbrick
Personal information
Full nameWilliam Warbrick
Born (1998-03-06) 6 March 1998 (age 25)
Kawerau, New Zealand
Height193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight105 kg (231 lb; 16 st 7 lb)
Playing information
Rugby union
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2019–21 New Zealand rugby sevens 13 4 0 0 20
Rugby league
PositionWing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2023– Melbourne Storm 25 17 0 0 68
Source: RLP
As of 22 September 2023
Medals
Men's rugby sevens
Representing  New Zealand
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2020 Tokyo Team competition

William Warbrick (born 6 March 1998) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Early life

Warbrick was born and raised in Kawerau, New Zealand , of Maori descent. He was educated at Rotorua Boys' High School and excelled in athletics, Rugby Union and League. Warbrick played junior rugby league for Ngongotaha Chiefs in the Bay of Plenty Rugby League.[1]

Career

Australian rules football

Warbrick began playing Australian rules football as a junior in 2016 on the recommendation of his junior rugby league coach and played for the Western Crows in the AFL New Zealand premiership where he won the Rising Star award[2] and developed as a strong marking forward/midfielder.[3] He was later selected for the New Zealand national Australian rules football team (U18 and senior) and toured Melbourne with the national team to play against the Australian AFL/AIS Academy team.[4]

Rugby sevens

Warbrick made his debut for the New Zealand national rugby sevens team in 2019. In 2021, he won a silver medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics.[5][6]

Rugby league

On 4 November 2021, Warbrick signed with the Melbourne Storm on a two-year contract.[7] He spent the majority of the 2022 season playing for Melbourne's affiliate club Sunshine Coast Falcons, scoring ten tries from 14 appearances in the Queensland Cup.

In round 1 of the 2023 NRL season, Warbrick made his NRL and Melbourne Storm debut against the Parramatta Eels. He had his Storm debut jersey (cap 225) presented to him by his sister.[8] Warbrick played a total of 25 games for Melbourne in the 2023 NRL season and scored 17 tries as Melbourne finished third on the table. In the semi-final against the Sydney Roosters, he scored a try with two minutes remaining to win the game for Melbourne. The following week, Warbrick played in the clubs preliminary final loss against Penrith.[9]

NRL Statistics

Year Team Games Tries Pts
2023 Melbourne Storm 23 16 64
2024
Totals 23 16 64

References

  1. ^ "Will Warbrick Profile - Melbourne Storm". melbournestorm.com.au. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  2. ^ "From AFL to rugby sevens, Warbrick finds league home". Yahoo Sports. Australian Associated Press. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  3. ^ Western Crows retain Stevens, Warbrick and Burdett AFL New Zealand November 15, 2016
  4. ^ Huge ANZAC Day weekend for AFLNZ from World Footy News April 20, 2016
  5. ^ "Warbrick William". Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Archived from the original on 26 July 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  6. ^ "William Warbrick". New Zealand Rugby. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Storm sign Olympic Games medal winner". Melbourne Storm. 4 November 2021.
  8. ^ "Will Warbrick debut jersey presentation". melbournestorm.com.au. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  9. ^ "NRL 2023: Melbourne Storm season review". www.sportingnews.com.

External links


Melbourne Storm - current squad
2020 New Zealand Olympic team
New Zealand men's 2020 Summer Olympics squad – Silver Medal
Categories