9: 00 a. m. ET — Will Warbrick missed much of 2025 with concussion-related problems and established himself as a regular in the Melbourne Storm outside backs under coach Craig Bellamy. Unconfirmed as of 9: 00 a. m. ET: initial reports indicate Warbrick is on the brink of signing a multi-year deal with the New Zealand Warriors starting in 2027, a development that would force roster decisions at the Storm.
Melbourne Storm: confirmed roster hits and immediate effects
Confirmed: Melbourne Storm lost fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen to a surprise retirement at the end of 2025, and the club has seen other departures across recent seasons, with Nick Meaney scheduled to play his last season for the Storm in 2026. Still, Melbourne is described as having a mass war chest to pursue the open market should they lose another outside back, and the club has internal options named as Moses Leo and Hugo Peel for the back five.
Will Warbrick: unconfirmed Warriors deal and on-field track record
Unconfirmed as of 9: 00 a. m. ET: initial reports indicate Warbrick is on the brink of a multi-year move to the New Zealand Warriors from the start of 2027. Yet, his playing record is confirmed in the public accounts: he has played more than 50 games for the Storm and scored 38 tries, and he returned strongly after concussion setbacks to feature in a finals campaign. That said, Warbrick impressed in the Storm’s Round 1 victory over Parramatta this season by running for 131 metres and scoring a try, and he previously played rugby sevens for New Zealand before switching to the NRL.
New Zealand Warriors: backline context and the contract trigger
Confirmed: the Warriors face contract uncertainty in their outside backs, with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak both off-contract at the end of 2026 and the latter holding a mutual option in his deal. Still, the club added Alofiana Khan-Pereira this season and has ongoing fitness concerns around Rocco Berry while the long-term role for youngster Ali Leiataua remains unresolved. Unconfirmed as of 9: 00 a. m. ET: whether the Warriors will finalise a deal for Warbrick, and the concrete observable trigger will be an official contract announcement from the Warriors or a formal signing confirmation from Warbrick’s representatives.
Closing — confirmed next event and one conditional: the confirmed next event that will move this story is the end of the NRL season, when off-contract windows and roster moves typically resolve. If the Warriors confirm a contract for Will Warbrick, the reports indicate the transfer would take effect from the start of 2027 and the Storm would be expected to reshape its outside backs ahead of that season.
