The FIVE best halves pairings heading into 2026

The two most important positions on the field are widely considered to be the five-eighth and the halfback — every rugby league side's two floor generals. Having an elite 6 and 7 duo can be the difference between a finals berth and a wooden spoon, and while some squads will be staring down the barrel of the latter, there are a few NRL teams who will benefit greatly from their own elite halves pairing. These are the best of the best halves duos in the NRL heading into 2026, whether it be due to years of chemistry, championship pedigree, or simply just undeniable talent. Nathan Cleary and Blaize Talagi (Penrith Panthers) 2025 Penrith Panthers recruit Blaize Talagi had big shoes to fill following the departure of Jarome Luai, and while he didn't reach the heights that his predecessor had hit, the 21-year-old went on to build a formidable combination with Nathan Cleary by season's end. Another preseason between Talagi and Cleary is likely to prove more fruitful than the last, with the latter looking to prove he can win a premiership without his former Blues halves partner in Luai. [caption id="attachment_227337" align="alignnone" width="2560"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Nathan Cleary of the Panthers reacts after his team's defeat during the NRL Preliminary Final match between Brisbane Broncos and Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium, on September 28, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)[/caption] A hungry Cleary is a scary beast, and with Talagi looking to hold his own alongside one of the greatest halfbacks of all time, it's scary hours in Penrith. Mitchell Moses and Jonah Pezet (Parramatta Eels) The Parramatta Eels were at risk of fielding one of the worst halves combinations following the departure of Dylan Brown, but a last-minute move to secure Melbourne Storm half Jonah Pezet has catapulted them back into the top five. Pezet has one year to make a difference in Parramatta before he heads to the Brisbane Broncos, and lucky for him, he has one of the best halfbacks in the NRL in Mitchell Moses alongside him to boost him further. After missing a fair chunk of playing time over the last couple of years, Moses will be eager to see what this Eels outfit can do when fully healthy. [caption id="attachment_226868" align="alignnone" width="2403"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 23: Mitchell Moses playing in the NRL match between Penrith Panthers and Sydney Roosters at CommBank Stadium, on August 23, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Joshua Davis/Zero Digital Sports)[/caption] If we can get a healthy Moses and a poised Pezet in 2026, we could see the forging (and later, the dismantling) of one of the best halves combinations in the NRL. Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam (Brisbane Broncos) Is it disrespectful to rank the halves pairing that just won an NRL premiership anywhere other than first? Not when your halfback is on his last legs. Adam Reynolds is one of the best halfbacks of this generation, with a second championship ring in 2025 proving truth to the claim. The Brisbane Broncos skipper is adamant that he still has plenty left in the tank following an injury riddled few seasons, but even if he doesn't, he is blessed to have a star in Ezra Mam alongside him ready to take the reins. [caption id="attachment_227530" align="alignnone" width="2560"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 05: Adam Reynolds of the Broncos signals to the bench after an injury during the NRL Grand Final match between the Melbourne Storm at Brisbane Broncos at Accor Stadium on October 05, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] Mam has been one of the best five-eighths in the league for some time, with his combination alongside Reynolds only getting stronger as time goes on. If Mam can take his game to another level in 2026 and become the ball dominant half, the Broncos won't miss a beat. Sam Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans (Sydney Roosters) The biggest wildcard of all the halves pairings in 2026 (alongside the dysfunctional love triangle of Lachlan Galvin, Matt Burton, and Mitchell Woods at the Bulldogs), is the Sydney Roosters new duo. Sam Walker is the future of the Roosters, no doubt, but it's his new partner in crime, Daly Cherry-Evans, who will decide whether this duo will work. [caption id="attachment_115931" align="alignnone" width="2560"] TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 11: Sam Walker of the Roosters looks on during the NRL Elimination Final match between Sydney Roosters and Gold Coast Titans at QCB Stadium, on September 11, 2021, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)[/caption] For the first time in his NRL career, ‘DCE' will be asked to take a backseat to another halfback, a role the veteran believes he's up to fulfilling. If Cherry-Evans can bounce back from a poor 2025 campaign and stick to his game-managing best, we may just see the best of Walker's game to light. Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm) The best halves pairing in the NRL for the second consecutive season, Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster are the pinnacle of what an elite 6 and 7 can produce. Munster is a firecracker in all the best ways, and while many halves would struggle to play alongside such a talented maniac, Hughes seems to complement his game perfectly with his own moments of poise and creativity. Off the back of yet another Grand Final loss, Hughes and Munster will be eager to prove they can win a premiership without the likes of Cameron Smith. [caption id="attachment_152198" align="alignnone" width="2560"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 11: Jahrome Hughes of the Storm looks to pass the ball during the round 11 NRL match between Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos at AAMI Park on May 11, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)[/caption] The loss of Ryan Papenhuyzen, while disappointing, will also open the door for even more attacking brilliance from the pair, which could be the push both stars need to elevate their game's once more in 2026. While they haven't been able to provide the city of Melbourne with a premiership in their last two Grand Final appearances, they are, without a doubt, the best halves pairing in the NRL.