While some clubs are known for their big boppers and others for their speedy backlines, it's long been known that to stand above the pack in theย NRL, you need an elite half-pairing to steer the ship.
With newly formed combinations preparing for their debuts in round one and tested duos gearing up for another crack at a premiership, these halves pairings look set to lead their team to glory in 2025.
4Lachlan Galvin & Jarome Luai (Wests Tigers)
It's been long since Wests Tigers supporters had a halves pairing that brought them hope. However, after the emergence of young gun Lachlan Galvin and the acquisition of four-time premiership winner Jarome Luai, it may be time for Tigers fans to dream.
Twelve months ago, Lachlan Galvin was relatively unknown, which is why Tigers coach Benji Marshall's decision to start him over Latu Fainu and Jayden Sullivan in round one was a puzzling one.
This ended up being a masterstroke from the rookie head coach, who had seen the superstar potential in the 18-year-old from the start. He won the club's Rookie of the Year award and looks to be a mainstay in this Tigers outfit.
Partnering Galvin is the club's newest addition, Jarome Luai. Regarded as one of the most polarising players in the NRL, many were sceptical of Luai's ability to play as a halfback, having spent his whole career as second-fiddle to Nathan Cleary.
However, with Cleary being riddled with shoulder injuries throughout the season, Luai was awarded the opportunity to showcase his dominance as a leading half.
This led to Luai enjoying his best season to date, as he led his side to a 2nd-place regular season finish in Cleary's absence.
Having such a promising halves combination being coached by one of the greatest five-eighths of the NRL era, Benji Marshall, the Wests Tigers' dark days look set to brighten in 2025.
What a load of crap, storm halfs r No.1 they have been together 4 years and are AVG as, reno an hunt kill it as a pairing to the storm halfs. Bronx have a betta kicking games and way betta game players. Storm finish 6th Bronx top 2.
I’m always dubious when I see articles like this which compare the _existing_ with the _potential_. Though I understand that if the author didn’t do that then he would have very little to write about !
OK, Reynolds and Hunt are certainly the Oldest pair going around, and they are the most experienced of the players. They should be good. I say “should” because they are two dominant halves who haven’t played together before. It may be a match made in heaven or it may be a fight between the two alpha males.
Hunt seems to be always fit, and Reynolds less so. Mamm will be out for only nine weeks, so – leaving personalities aside – the pairing for greatest continuity would be to play Hunt at 7 and Reynolds/Mamm at 6. I can’t see that happening.
The Wests pairing may have a lot of potential, but if the Wests forwards are not going forward, then maybe Luai and Galvin will look pretty ordinary. Who knows ?
The Storm halves are not as effective as they were a few years back because Munster has been regularly injured, or up and down in form. Notwithstanding, those two have played a lot together and know what each other is likely to do under any circumstances. So, maybe – as a tried and tested combination – they deserve their #1 spot in the article.