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If Joseph Suaalii needs some advice on switching between the rugby codes, he needs only to look to his opposing backline this Thursday night against Melbourne at AAMI Park.
Will Warbrick, who will line up on the wing for the Storm, has been one of the breakout stars of the 2023 NRL season after trading an All Blacks sevens jersey for a crack at the NRL.
Big, fast and elusive, he looks every inch the rugby league thoroughbred – save for the Olympic ring tattoo on his forearm that belies a history in the other code.
After starring in the Storm’s win over South Sydney last Friday night, Warbrick revealed it took quite some adjustment to the demands of playing rugby league on the wing – not least that he was required to run at the opposition, not around them.
“As a wing in rugby union, you stay on the edge and you’re in the space, whereas in league you’re taking those first carries and running into a wall of fellas that are trying to take your head off,” he said.
“It’s something that I had to embrace and try to make it a strength of my game. The contact is different and it’s a huge contrast to rugby union.
“It’s the volume of running and contact as well as playing 80 minutes – in sevens, you play 14 minutes. Some people don’t realise how much of a difference that is.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“Physically, I had to get used to that and mentally too – learning the game, getting that confidence again. I’m a player that thrives when I feel like I’m prepared and confident. That’s something that I was trying to earn back when I came over.”
Tokyo 2021 likely seems a lifetime away after a long route to the NRL that involved injury setbacks, plenty of time in the second tier Queensland Cup and, eventually, a start in Round 1 of this year.
“From sevens to league, I knew it was going to be a challenge and there were some days where I asked myself if I made the right decision, and if I saw myself playing first grade,” said Warbrick. “I’m glad I stuck it out and where I am now.
“I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and it probably wasn’t my time yet. I would have wanted to debut last year, but that’s just who I am, I’m a pretty competitive person.
“That season, even though I was playing Q Cup, was a blessing in disguise. It gave me experience of consistent footy and a good platform for this preseason. I had confidence going in that I’d be pushing for a spot in Round 1 and here we are.
“It definitely helped my body acclimatise. Rugby union and rugby league are different, but rugby sevens and league are the complete opposite in terms of the contact, the players involved (in defence) and in sevens, you get tackled and the ball gets spun out but in league, it’s slowed down.
“It’s too early to say I’m adjusted. I’m just 5 games in so there’s a lot of things that I can improve on, but I’m happy with where I’m at and the progress I’ve made. I’m not satisfied just yet and see where I can get to.”