NZ Warriors recruit Will Warbrick ends Melbourne Storm career with Achilles injury

NZ Warriors-bound Will Warbrick has had his Melbourne Storm career cut prematurely short, suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon against Sydney Roosters on Friday night.

The former Olympic sevens silver medallist will return across the Tasman next NRL season, but faces months of recovery, after he collapsed to the Allianz Stadium turf, while trying to defend a Roosters try late in the first half.

He immediately left the field in tears, with teammates running to comfort him, as he was transported under the stand on a medicab. Storm medical staff quickly confirmed the worst.

Warbrick, 28, will also miss the Kiwis' Rugby League World Cup campaign later this year.

The powerful winger has signed a three-year contract with the Warriors, effectively replacing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who departs to England club Wakefield Trinity.

Born in Kawerau and educated at Rotorua Boys' High School, Warbrick has represented New Zealand in sevens, league and Aussie rules.

He was part of the All Blacks Sevens squad that finished second at the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics and immediately afterwards signed a two-year deal with the Storm.

Warbrick made his NRL debut against Parramatta Eels in 2023 and has scored 52 tries in 72 appearances. He was on pace for a career-best season, with 15 tries in 16 games this season, despite the Storm's onfield struggles.