Always been an option’: Leo loving return to league
Despite making the move to Melbourne early, the Storm’s latest Rugby Sevens convert Moses Leo has ‘no expectations’ on how soon he might make his NRL debut.
Leo, who was granted an early release from his contract with New Zealand Rugby to link up with the 2024 grand finalists, sought advice from former teammate and housemate Will Warbrick before making the move.
After making the switch two years ago, Warbrick enjoyed a break-out season in 2024 and Leo expects to follow a similar path in his transition to the NRL.
“I was really keen to get here sooner rather than later and the way that things unfolded, I was fortunate enough to get a release from New Zealand and get over earlier and soak up all the information I can to make the transition as best as possible and really maximise my potential,” Leo said.
“Back in 7s, I did live with Will for a bit of a stint and so seeing his success really made it a real option for me and especially this team specifically.
“The environment and what they breed in this environment really attracted me to make the switch, and seeing ‘Brick’ being real successful was real motivating for me.
“I obviously I did my homework with Will (and) … asked him what it was like when he transitioned, and he said it’s one of the best things he’s done, so it was a bit of a no-brainer for me.”
Leo said he was “loving the grind” of pre-season at Storm, despite the tough training, but said it was the best way to get to know his new teammates.
“We’re all in the hurt locker, so it’s not one of us, it’s all of us,” Leo said.
“It’s a lot easier when you’re doing it with your teammates.
“It’s hard, but loving it, loving the grind.
“The boys have been pretty welcoming and learning about the boys, but it’s no faster way of learning about each other than being out on the field and in the trenches.”
Unlike Warbrick, who had to learn all of the finer details of the game through a productive stint with Storm feeder club Sunshine Coast Falcons in Queensland’s Hostplus Cup, Leo has a rugby league background.
The 27-year-old played during his school days before becoming an All Blacks 7s star, representing New Zealand at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
“I played back in school, so I took a year just to play league and then I played in my last year of school as well for the First XIII, and then I played some club as well,” Leo said.
“Union season goes shorter in New Zealand, so I’d just go over and play some league games at the end of my union season and go play there.
“I played centre and wing, I was just bit versatile there wherever they needed me in the team, as long as I was on the field … I just wanted to play really.
“I’ve always thought for me that league was an option, and I really enjoyed playing league back in my younger days too.
And then just things off field, it really made sense for me to want to be based in Australia and give my family an opportunity to see me play as well.”
Despite his previous league experience, Leo said he was not putting any pressure on himself to play NRL before he is ready.
“I really like the challenge that it possesses and I’m always trying to get better and I think I can really flourish here.
“Obviously no expectations there (about making an NRL debut in 2025) … I’m just going to try to be the best man I can be and do whatever’s best for the team if I’m on the field or not.
“In both codes, you have just got to work hard and that’s the mindset, but (they’re) different codes with different habits and different details that I need to learn and get my head around.
“Once I get all that settled, I’ll be off the races I think.”
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