Melbourne's rugby sevens success story Will Warbrick has backed Moses Leo to make a similarly-smooth transition to the NRL if a code switch can be finalised.
The Storm signed Olympic silver medallist Warbrick on the back of his Tokyo Games campaign with New Zealand and the 26-year-old winger has since become a staple of the side's backline across two seasons and 43 first-grade games.
As the curtains come down on the Paris Olympics, the Storm have put out feelers to gauge Leo's interest in following in his countryman's footsteps.
The 27-year-old ticks similar boxes to Warbrick as a tall, physically-strong winger, who has now helped New Zealand into the knockout stages of an Olympics; the Kiwis were eliminated by eventual bronze medallists South Africa in the Paris quarter-finals.
The Storm could do with some depth in their outside backs, having farewelled Justin Olam, Reimis Smith and George Jennings across the past 12 months.
Warbrick believes they may be onto a winner with Leo, a bronze medallist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
"I know Moses quite well," he said.
"He’s a great rugby sevens player, a great rugby union player, a great athlete and an even better bloke so whatever he decides I’m sure he’ll excel in.
"He’s got a great work ethic, a great talent and if he can come over here, it’ll be good but we’ll see what happens."
It was Warbrick's defensive aptitude that first caught the eye of Storm recruitment boss Paul Bunn at the Tokyo Games, but Leo could bring different skills to the table.
"He’s a dynamic guy, a great athlete, got great speed and skill. He’s got a good offload and good footwork so he’s a damaging runner," Warbrick said.
"If you’ve got those traits, I’m sure you’ll do well in the NRL. I can’t compare him to anyone but he’s a talent."
After spending the entire 2022 season recovering from injuries and acclimatising to his new sport, Warbrick knows first-hand that patience is required on switching codes.
And under Melbourne maestro Craig Bellamy, nothing is guaranteed.
"I’m not going to say he’s (definitely) going to come in and light the world on fire, He might do, who knows, but he’s got a good character about him," Warbrick said.
"He’s a disciplined dude who’s hard working. If you’ve got those traits you’ll do well at whatever you decide to do. Personally I think he’ll excel here. He’ll fit in and that’s the main thing."
