Fullback. Five-eighth. Halfback. Hooker. These are the four key playing positions that form the backbone of a rugby league team.

With the 2019 season kicking off in a few weeks, we have rated each club's spine.

Who do you think has the best backbone in the NRL?

9. New Zealand Warriors 

  1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Blake Green 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita 9. Issac Luke

Other options: Adam Keighran, Jazz Tevaga, Karl Lawton, Sam Cook, Nathaniel Roache

2018's Dally M medallist, 42-time Kiwi test hooker and a veteran half labelled as one of the buys of the season last year make up three-quarters of the Warriors spine.

However, Stephen Kearney has been left with the unenviable task of finding a suitable replacement for long-term halfback Shaun Johnson. Chanel Harris-Tavita and Adam Keighran are locked in a two-way battle for the gig.

The Warriors also have a plethora of back-up hookers that can reduce Issac Luke's workload.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck of the New Zealand Warriors poses on stage with the Dally M Award during the 2018 Dally M Awards at Overseas Passenger Terminal on September 26, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

12 COMMENTS

  2. Well according to the โ€œspine ratingsโ€ it will be a Sydney Roosters vs souffs Grand Final, only problem is souffves Sydney has the rejected sacked ex Brisbane coach Bennett to tutor them.๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ”๐Ÿ‘ Donโ€™t like souffves Sydneyโ€™s coach credentials in his retirement age.

  3. Panthers if they really want to win. Send Maloney out on a high and stuff this year should throw James Seggy a lifeline and give him say 250k 1 year deal. Obviously he doesnโ€™t have a club and would take the money. Think the Panthers should keep the young players they have but Seggy is obviously a class above and would drive a forward pack of Tamou, Fisher-Harris and co around the feild better and pick holes at the defense to exploit. A 1 year deal says if you go well you may get another deal but either way youโ€™ll earn more and be playing and we will also win more games.

    Side note; not sure if I rate Egan or Katoa yet so would possibly be looking to snag Reece Robson away from the Dragons. Heโ€™s said to have a huge future ahead of him and heโ€™s on an expiring deal stuck behind Cam McInnes. He would form a lethal combo with Edwards Luai Cleary all being under 24

  4. I can only assume thereโ€™s something more to the Seggy story.
    He would be a good fit (as a player) at several clubs, incl. Parra, but heโ€™s still not signed, anywhere?
    I know he has some โ€œdiscipline issuesโ€, and has had some โ€œoff field issuesโ€, but I canโ€™t help but think thereโ€™s still more to this.

  5. Mate, he would have to be a handy pick up for parra. I cant see any other team really having a crack at him unless they want a bench player as a backup hooker. Though this never worked for Saints in the time we had Mitch Rein.

  7. Agreed Pedro, but thatโ€™s what makes me think thereโ€™s more to the the โ€˜Seggy storyโ€™.
    With Norman gone (because I could see an arguememt to not have him and Seggy in the same side), our inexperienced spine, our available cash, this late in the off season etc, and nothing/no offer, not from anyone?

    P.S Pedro, if your spine fire (combine), Iโ€™d have it as no. 1.

  8. Well its seems that the Pennies / Cowz have said they dont want him (back) โ€“ the others look like they have it covered. So i guess he will keep poring coffee as a barista for floโ€™ Espressoโ€ฆ .
    Wonder whats up. >?

  9. You could all be correct about the Penrith hookers. Although Egan was a halfback made into a hooker at Penrith. Last session was his first year playing any first grade & he had to play mostly behind Wallace & Katoa.
    Egan ( as a former halfback ) has good pace & it was more his passing game last year that was a problem area. Still, he has shown that he knows where the try line is in lower grades . With better coaching & with another former half turned hooker in Wallace to help. He may yet surprise as a first grade hooker.
    Cook was no instant success in first grade either.

  11. The Roosters sure arenโ€™t going to be there. The crime syndicate 13 beats a team with about 6 NRL worthy players in it the other day and you guys think that you are favouritesโ€ฆyouโ€™re kidding. They shouldnโ€™t even let you guys in the comp!! your board is full of organised crime figures.

  12. Sounds like you have been eating too many magic mushrooms. There is a really good rehab down in Surry Hills mate, jump on the fast train to Central and ask the nearest bloke with a brown paper bag wrapped around a bottle where William Booth is. They will cure your nuttism.๐Ÿ˜ฒ๐Ÿ˜ฎ๐Ÿ˜•๐Ÿ™ƒ๐Ÿ˜–๐Ÿ˜ฉ๐Ÿ˜ต๐Ÿ˜ ๐Ÿคช๐Ÿคช๐Ÿค’

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