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Top 10 Halves Combinations

Published by
Michael Ehmer

In any rugby league team, the halves are the players that run the show. With the job of setting up tries, organising teammates and kicking in play, they are often the most important on the field.

Having two that do all of the above and work together at the same time will generally take a team deep into the finals.

We've ranked the Top 10 halves combos in the NRL right now (ignoring injuries in the process).

Gold Coast Titans

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 01: Ashley Taylor of the Titans runs at the Sharks defence during the round 21 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Cronulla Sharks at Cbus Super Stadium on August 1, 2016 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Jason O'Brien/Getty Images)

Ashley Taylor & Kane Elgey

In 2016, the Titans qualified for the finals against all odds. It was on the back of their young half Ashley Taylor who played some impressive football for his age.

Despite being unable to overcome a horror 2017, Taylor and Kane Elgey remain two of the best young halves in the game.

If the Titans can keep them together at the club, they could one day be one of the best halves partnerships in the game.

Parramatta Eels

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 28: Mitchell Moses of the Eels in action during the round 21 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Brisbane Broncos at ANZ Stadium on July 28, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Corey Norman & Mitchell Moses

Though Mitchell Moses has only been paired with Corey Norman for a short time, the Parramatta Eels halves have already been impressive.

Moses has been a changed player since leaving the West Tigers and clearly has benefitted from playing alongside Norman.

The Eels have beaten a number of top sides in 2017 and with Moses and Norman running the side they are a chance of going all the way.

Canberra Raiders

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Blake Austin of the Raiders during the round six NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Canberra Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium on April 8, 2017 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Jason O'Brien/Getty Images)

Aidan Sezer & Blake Austin

Aidan Sezer and Blake Austin have both been excellent signings for the Canberra Raiders. Despite a disappointing 2017, it is clear that Sezer and Austin are a great halves partnership.

Falling just one game short of the grand final last year would have been a shame for the pair, given how they have made the Raiders play exciting, attacking football.

It is highly likely they will bounce back next season.

Manly Sea Eagles

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 05: Daly Cherry-Evans of the Sea Eagles looks on prior to the round one NRL match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Parramatta Eels at Lottoland on March 5, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Daly Cherry-Evans & Blake Green

Daly Cherry-Evans and Blake Green have impressed for the Manly Sea Eagles in 2017.

Cherry-Evans has always been a star for Manly but not many expected Blake Green to transition so well from the Melbourne Storm.

Already he has been the reliable partner that Cherry-Evans has been missing and will likely return the club to finals football for the first time since 2014.

Penrith Panthers

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 04: Nathan Cleary and Matt Moylan of the Panthers celebrate atry scored by Corey Harawira-Naera during the round 13 NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Penrith Panthers at ANZ Stadium on June 4, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Matt Moylan & Nathan Cleary

Matt Moylan’s recent shift to five-eighth pairs him with one of the NRL’s best young talents – Nathan Cleary.

While the two have not been paired up for long they are already looking deadly together. Moylan’s impressive skills match perfectly with Cleary, who is playing far better than anyone would expect from a 19 year old.

They will take the Penrith Panthers far if they stay paired with each other.

Brisbane Broncos

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 20: Ben Hunt of the Broncos runs with the ball during the round 20 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium on July 20, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Ben Hunt & Anthony Milford

The Brisbane Broncos also feature a young halves pairing in Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford when they have a full strength side.

They had a stellar first season together in 2015, taking the Brisbane Broncos within seconds of the premiership and decimating teams.

2017 will be their final year together though and they will be looking to take the Broncos to their first title win since 2006.

Sydney Roosters

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 30: Mitchell Pearce of the Roosters passes the ball during the round nine NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Newcastle Knights at Allianz Stadium on April 30, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Luke Keary & Mitchell Pearce

Luke Keary has impressed many with his 2017 season and Mitchell Pearce has always been consistent for the Sydney Roosters.

Together they have been lethal for the Roosters and have already won many games for the club.

With so much success in their first year together, teams will be worried how effective they will be in the future.

Cronulla Sharks

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 19: James Maloney of the Sharks runs the ball during the round three NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Southern Cross Group Stadium on March 19, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

James Maloney & Chad Townsend

James Maloney and Chad Townsend have become a strong partnership for the Cronulla Sharks.

In 2016 they were able to win Cronulla’s first ever premiership and will look for a second in 2017.

While Townsend is often underrated by fans his work along with Maloney’s has been key in the Sharks recent success.

North Queensland Cowboys

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Johnathan Thurston of the Cowboys passes the ball to a team mate during the round six NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Wests Tigers at 1300SMILES Stadium on April 8, 2017 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Johnathan Thurston & Michael Morgan

Jonathan Thurston is regarded by many as the best player that ever played.

His partner in the halves, Michael Morgan, is no slouch either.

The two Queensland representatives took the North Queensland Cowboys all the way in 2015 and when both are fit they are a force to be reckoned with.

Melbourne Storm

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 09: Cooper Cronk of the Melbourne Storm gestures with the ball during the round six NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the Cronulla Sharks at AAMI Park on April 9, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Cooper Cronk & Cameron Munster

The Melbourne Storm are blessed with an incredible talent all over the park and their halves are no exception.

The Storm currently boasts the Queensland halves Cameron Munster and Cooper Cronk.

The two led Queensland to a series win in game three this year and will no doubt be looking to take their club side all the way.

Published by
Michael Ehmer