Going to Christchurch on Sunday a family affair for Warbricks

Among a sea of faces at Apollo Projects Stadium on Sunday, towering Kiwi winger Will Warbrick will find mum Carroll, dad Maurice and sister Hailey Mio as he soaks up the emotion of his Test debut.

Already an OIympic silver medalist in Rugby 7s with New Zealand, the 26-year-old will add another string to his impressive sporting when he makes his debut for the Kiwis against the Kangaroos in Christchurch.

With 32 tries in 49 games since joining the Storm at the start of 2023, Warbrick has made an undeniable case for Test selection, his powerhouse charges and aerial skills proving a lethal combination.

After donning the black jersey for the Kiwi 'A' side against Tonga 'A' last October, Warbrick runs out as one of five Test debutants on Sunday, and it's a moment he says wouldn't have been possible without his family's unwavering support.

"I've had some hurdles and adversity along the way but my family always believed in me and showed that support and love," he said.

"Even when I probably didn’t have that belief in myself, they never lost it.

"It's a bit of a trip for them to come down so to have them here this weekend means a lot to me."

When it comes to the people in his life who have always backed him to succeed, Warbrick is thankful for Storm coach Craig Bellamy's show of faith before he had a single NRL game to his name.

"For Craig and the club to show that belief in me before I even moved to Melbourne gave me the confidence I needed to go on this journey and become a rugby league player," Warbrick said.

"I made a big decision in my professional career when I decided to move on from 7s and try my hand in rugby league and to be here now and on the brink of representing my country is more than I ever could have imagined so I’m just humbled and grateful to be here.

"I got a taste of this environment last year and I'm just enjoying the moment.

"I was lucky enough to meet a bunch of the boys last year and it definitely created some bonds and then I got to see some of them during the NRL season and share a joke.

"The culture in this environment is great and it’s easy to click, it's a good bunch of lads.

"Like most kids I watched the All Blacks growing up and I aspired to wear the black jersey as an All Black or even to be doing the haka on the field.

"I admired it as a kid and I'm grateful to be here now."