Former NZ Sevens representative Will Warbrick has scored his first try in the NRL, as Melbourne Storm outclassed Wests Tigers 24-12 at AAMI Park.
Warbrick, 25, traded sevens for rugby league at the end of 2021, after helping New Zealand to silver at the Tokyo Olympics.
After signing with the Storm and spending 2022 learning the game, the winger has started all Melbourne's first-grade matches this year, after impressing supercoach Craig Bellamy in pre-season.
Warbrick has taken his next step towards becoming a regular first-teamer, holding off Tigers opposite Junior Tupou to cross in the corner for the opening try and his first points in the 13-man code.
As well as his try, Warbrick also made 21 runs for 202 metres, two linebreaks, two offloads, three tackles and three intercepts for his night's work.
Further first half tries to fullback Nick Meaney, Justin Olam and Cameron Munster gave the Storm a 22-6 halftime lead, before an additional Meaney penalty were Melbourne's only points in the second half.
For the Tigers, centre Asu Kepaoa and hooker Api Koroisau scored either side of halftime, but their efforts weren't enough to seriously challenge the Storm on the night.
Victory moves Melbourne to eighth on the NRL ladder, with two wins and two defeats to start the 2023 season.
Meanwhile, the Tigers are bottom, with four defeats from four and winless since the end of last July.
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