The Melbourne Storm are close to signing All Blacks sevens star Will Warbrick as a replacement for Josh Addo-Carr.
The Daily Telegraph has reported that the 23-year-old Warbrick is looking to switch codes and is eyeing a future playing for the Storm’s super coach Craig Bellamy.
Warbrick was part of the All Blacks Sevens team that won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in August and has been with the New Zealand sevens team since 2019.
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However, it appears his future lies in rugby league, rather than union and at 1.94m and 100kg and devastating speed, he has the attributes to do well in the NRL.
The Storm have been eyeing Warbrick up as someone who can fill the void at the club, made by Addo-Carr’s move to the Bulldogs.
Warbrick hails from Kawerau and while he is listed as a Bay of Plenty player, he has always been seen as a sevens specialist, although has dabbled with AFL in the past.
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In a post on Warbrick’s Instagram page three weeks ago he said he was ready for the next chapter in his career.
“Two years ago @allblacks7s and @nzrugbyofficial gave an opportunity to a young fella playing club rugby for Te Teko to live out his childhood dream,” Warbrick wrote.
“To represent his country and put on the ‘Black’ jersey for a living, something I’ll forever be grateful for.
“As I look to move on I reflect on these past two years which have been nothing but the best and has allowed me to experience things I couldn’t even imagine.
“It has been an absolute privilege being a part of such a special group, from the Management right down to my teammates. I can’t thank you all enough, it has been nothing but a pleasure.”
Yesterday Warbrick posted a video on Instagram of him flying into Melbourne, so it seems an announcement could be coming soon on his signing with the Storm.
Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph has also reported that the Penrith Panthers have signed former Warriors halfback Sean O’Sullivan.
O’Sullivan was on a one-year deal with the Warriors for 2021 and the club had held off offering a new contract.
Once it was confirmed that Ash Taylor was joining the club from the Titans on a train and trial deal, with an option for a full contract in 2022, that shut the door on any opportunity to play for the Warriors again.
It’s understood O’Sullivan had been in talks with a few clubs for a number of weeks, but has agreed terms with the Panthers, where he’ll give the team depth, acting as cover for Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.
This article was originally published on stuff.co.nz and is reproduced with permission