The NRL's biggest names typically define finals football.
When you think of the finals game breakers, you immediately look at players like James Tedesco, Nathan Cleary and Isaiya Katoa.
But in truth, finals are decided by the players who have been consistent all year, get the job done when it matters and free up the space for the stars to go to work.
Here is the player from each team who will determine exactly how the next month of footy plays out.
New Zealand Warriors: Chanel Harris-Tavita
The Warriors have found great success in the 2026 NRL premiership, and they have many players who pushed the New Zealand side into winning form.
Chanel Harris-Tavita has arguably been one of the most underrated halves player in the competition.
Throughout the Warriors season, there have been three halfbacks injured, forcing Harris-Tavita to step into the halfback role for the final weeks of their campaign.
He has stepped up in leading the halves and remained the one consistent in the pairings. As the fourth halfback for the side this season, Chanel has been the grounding force for the Warriors' attack, adjusting from his traditional five-eighth position this season to halfback to keep the Warriors fighting for the premiership.
This season, Harris-Tavita has played 17 games and scored eight tries. He averages 299.5 kicking metres per game and, particularly important, he has scored three times in their last five games.
As the Warriors fight to win the minor premiership and lift the trophy at the end of the season, the New Zealand side needs Harris-Tavita to take away the pressure of creating plays from other playmakers, as they are either coming back from injury or are a replacement for an injured half.
He has shown he can handle the pressure and has been in astounding form for the side. Chanel plays a calm but ruthless game and is definitely the most underrated player in the New Zealand Warriors.
