Operation left edge: Suaali'i next on Warbrick's tip sheet

First it was Latrell Mitchell and South Sydney’s potent left edge that Will Warbrick had to do his homework on and shut down.

Next it’s Joseph-Aukuso Suaali’i and the in-form Roosters that the Storm flyer is working overtime in playing catch up as part of his journey in the NRL. 

And after all that? A sweeping Tom Trbojevic at 4 Pines Park awaits in Round 7.

It’s all part of the learning and development for Warbrick, the former AFL and rugby sevens convert, who has become a mainstay for Craig Bellamy on the right edge in the opening five rounds.  

The Storm winger grins at the prospect of lining up against Suaali’i on Thursday night, particularly as he and Reimis Smith got through a strong defensive display on the Rabbitohs last week that has given the combination plenty of confidence.

“We’re going up against the big boys, aren’t we?,” Warbrick said.

“It was a real test against [Cody] Walker, [Alex] Johnston, [Isaiah] Tass and Latrell [last week].

“It’s going to be another step up against the Roosters, it will be a pretty big game.”

Warbrick’s transition from sevens to league has been a slow burn with the 25-year-old spending a full season in the Queensland Cup with the Sunshine Coast Falcons last year to learn his trade.

Like the recent success of Lachlan Miller at the Knights, Warbrick has quickly proven that converting from a fast-paced sevens program to 80-minutes of rugby league each week, is achievable.

“Last season even though I was playing Queensland Cup it was a blessing in disguise,” he said.

“It gave me experience of consistent footy and a good platform for this pre-season.

“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 five games in so there are 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 to see where I can get to.”

The Storm welcome back Jahrome Hughes from suspension on Thursday night while Brandon Smith will line up against his former club for the first time since joining the Roosters.