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.
2Ben Hunt & Adam Reynolds (Brisbane Broncos)
What felt like a never-ending saga of leaks and reports, Ben Hunt has finally escaped the St George Illawarra Dragons. Returning home to Queensland in 2025, the 34-year-old has the opportunity to compete for a premiership with the Brisbane Broncos.
While it was reported he would be playing as a hooker from the club, Ezra Mam's recent suspension will cause a shift to Michael Maguire's side. With Hunt taking up alongside Broncos captain Adam Reynolds, only age and injuries can stop this combination.
While both players are in the twilight of their careers, there is still plenty of elite football in both Hunt and Reynolds. The Broncos skipper had an unfortunate run of injuries in 2024, only having played 13 games.
However, it can be said that Reynolds may have just benefited from the time he was rested, with hopes that he can pick up the form that saw him in the 2023 Grand Final.
Ben Hunt will seek redemption as he returns to Brisbane after departing from the club in 2017. Having only made one finals appearance with the Dragons, 2025 looks to be his best shot at a ring in close to a decade.
It will also be the first time Hunt isn't the dominant half, which may just help him to play his natural game without the added pressure of leading his side.
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.