7 NRL Halfbacks of the Future: The Rising Playmakers Ready to Star in 2027

The next generation of playmaking talent are currently biding their time in NSW and QLD cup or have tasted NRL debuts in 2026. The following seven rookie halves represent the future long-term halves for a number of clubs. Patiently waiting for an opportunity to lead a side around the park, they constitute the most exciting upcoming playmaking talent in the NRL ready to take the competition by storm. As part of the analysis of these rookies, a player comparison that unpacks similar attributes to established NRL halves showcases the qualities of each of these emerging number 7’s.

Coby Black (Canberra Raiders)

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Young halfback Coby Black joined the Raiders on a three-year deal from Brisbane, further strengthening the club’s stocks ahead of the 2026 season. Black has represented the Maroons at the Under 19 level on two occasions, including captaining the Maroons to a 23-22 victory in 2025. The 20-year-old halfback has played 21 games of QLD Cup for the Souths Logan Magpies, scoring seven tries and a further 14 try assists. In 2026 he backed this up with a stellar season in NSW Cup for the Raiders, with 9 tries, 17 try assists and landing 77 goals. This culminated in Black being handed a well-deserved NRL debut in the final round of the regular season. What resulted was a look into the future of a star. Black scored 26 points on debut against the Cowboys, surpassing the previous record for a rookie on debut of Amos Roberts (22 points in 2000). Black unveiled his complete arsenal including towering torpedo bombs, delicate grubber kicks as well as a dynamic running game. Blessed with three excellent young halves in the form of Black, Strange and Sanders, this performance and unveiling of the qualities Black possesses, will surely give Ricky Stuart food for thought in terms of who runs out to start the 2027 season.

Player Comparison – Adam Reynolds

Although Black is slightly taller than Reynolds, the similarities between the two abound. Mentored within the Brisbane system Black epitomises Reynolds’ characteristics as an organising half. In the areas of game management both have composure, are able to vary attacking tempo and engage the defensive line deeply. Both possess elite long and short kicking games, effective in setting the tone for field position and forcing line drop-outs. Both are elite goal kickers with high levels of accuracy, seeing Black mimic the capacity like Reynolds to turn 4 into 6 off the tee.

Mitchell Woods (Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs)

After an injury-riddled season in 2026 Mitchell Woods will be hoping to get his first taste of NRL football in 2027 after starring in Canterbury’s lower grades. A local junior, Woods has been earmarked for a bright future at the Club as a member of the 2023 Harold Matthews Cup Premiership side, having steered the 2024 SG Ball side to the Grand Final and his involvement in the 2024 Jersey Flegg Cup’s Premiership title defence. Blessed with elite acceleration and an instinctive running game coupled with crisp ball delivery and a deft short kicking game, Woods possesses all the attributes necessary to be a long-term half in the NRL. The off-season looms as a further opportunity to ensure he is injury free coming into the 2027 season and for continued development of his physical conditioning to support his abundant playmaking talent. The halves are an area that Cameron Ciraldo continues to tinker with. As a result Woods’ capabilities, despite not yet debuting in the NRL, will continue to ensure the club will be keen to support his ongoing development.

Player Comparison – Jahrome Hughes

It is the acceleration and line engagement of both players that makes their comparison compelling. Both are able to use late footwork and explosiveness to slice through defensive lines themselves more so than putting others away. Shared qualities in terms of elite spatial awareness enact outstanding capacity across these two to recognise and exploit opportunities. For Hughes this has been honed by positional changes as part of his career, for Woods this is evident in transition of skill across various codes at representative level including AFL and Rugby Union. Finally, the support play of both players represents a further parallel in playing style between these two talented athletes

Toby Rodwell (Sydney Roosters)

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Toby has featured heavily as part of the Roosters NSW Cup side over the past two seasons, making 33 appearances to date. In 2026 he made 19 appearances, scoring 6 tries, 21 try assists, 26 line break assists and kicking 83 goals. He has played two matches this season in the NRL, scoring a try on debut in Round 15 against the Dolphins, showing his class in a 20 minute cameo. Known for his booming kicking game, Rodwell is able to dictate field position and consistently high kick metres. An excellent goal kicker, he is reliable for considerable contribution to overall point scoring, even if just off the tee. Finally, he engages the line deeply which creates a significant threat for defences, especially when this is combined with his precision passing capabilities.

Player Comparison – Mitchell Moses

Where Rodwell draws distinct comparison with Moses is the similarities in their play when it comes to being high volume, line-engaging game managers. Dominant kicking capabilities particularly in terms of distance and overall kicking metres, sets the two apart from the pack, but comparative to one another. The depth that both are prepared to engage the line, further connects their styles and the service provided to their outside men in such instances highlights their overlapping attributes in this aspect of their play. Finally, their contributions and accuracy in terms of points from kicking goals is a corresponding trait of both players.

Kade Reed (St George Illawarra Dragons)

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A Western Suburbs Red Devils junior, Kade Reed has risen rapidly through the St George Illawarra pathways, captaining Illawarra’s SG Ball side before racking up an impressive 27 try assists in Jersey Flegg in 2025. After earning his senior tier debut in Round 26 of the NSW Cup, Reed received his NRL call-up on the special occasion of Anzac Day against the Sydney Roosters. Despite being on the wrong side of the scoreline, the teenager demonstrated why he is widely regarded as a long-term first-grader. What he lacks in physical stature, he compensates for with vision, crisp ball service, and an instinctive threat in hand that will only flourish as the game continues to speed up.

Player Comparison – Luke Brooks

Kade Reed is Luke Brooks in terms of his compact frame, instinctive ball-playing ability, and threat when challenging the line. Like Brooks, Reed doesn’t rely on imposing physical size, instead both possess sharp acceleration, lateral agility, and quick hands to create space for their outside backs. When assessing defensive lines both have gifts for doing this instinctively, demonstrating game sense and vision that make their styles comparable. It is in the areas of tempo and unscripted play that the parallels sharpen and where both have the ability to be dangerous from any position on the park and share the capacity for long range try involvements.

Hayden Watson (Melbourne Storm)

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Amid a period of transition, Hayden Watson has emerged as the next elite prospect forged through the Melbourne Storm pathways. A Beaudesert Kingfishers junior, Watson enjoyed a meteoric rise in 2026, progressing from SG Ball to securing a starting spot in NSW Cup. Called up for his NRL debut in Round 22 against the Bulldogs, the teenager showcased first-class composure and game organisation alongside a lethal running threat that constantly tested the defensive line. Locked in on a long-term contract until the end of 2030, Watson is primed to become a cornerstone of Melbourne’s spine for the next era.

Player Comparison – Sam Walker

Watson shares a likeness to Walker in terms of his instinctual playmaking, sharp acceleration, and unpredictable line engagement. Like Walker, Watson combines a high energy running game with excellent game management. Both use footwork and late tempo shifts to create issues for defensive lines, opening up space on edges for their teammates. Crucially, both young playmakers share a fearless, competitive edge, giving Watson the ideal dual threat blueprint to lead an NRL attack.

Zane Harrison (Gold Coast Titans)

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Despite a challenging campaign, coach Josh Hannay’s trust in internal development has delivered long-term rewards, none brighter than the rise of Zane Harrison. The Tweed Seagulls junior has rapidly asserted himself as one of the game’s premier young playmakers, amassing 11 NRL appearances and proving himself an elite link out of shape with his long pass selection and weighted short kicking. His unflappable composure was on full display against heavyweights Penrith, where he orchestrated the attack before calmly slotting the match-winning field goal. It was a career-defining moment that cemented Harrison not just as a local success story, but as a future cornerstone of the Gold Coast Titans.

Player Comparison – Daly Cherry-Evans

The comparison here is striking in the areas of game management, tactical kicking and competitive nature but ability to remain calm under pressure. Like Cherry-Evans, Harrison operates as an orchestrating traditional number seven who commands team shape, using a probing short-kicking game to force drop-outs and pinpoint passing to set up his outside backs. While neither relies on brute size or tackle-busting power, Harrison uses late tempo shifts to delay his delivery and catch sliding edge defenders off guard. Most importantly, both playmakers share an unflappable temperament in crunch moments, backed by the self-belief to execute clutch plays. Cherry-Evans has based a career on this, while Harrison in a small sample has already iced crunch moments, when others with more experience haven’t stepped up.

Jett Cleary (New Zealand Warriors)

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The Cleary name is synonymous with rugby league success, from Penrith premierships to State of Origin dominance, but a new chapter is unfolding. Having emerged from the famed nursery at St Dominic’s College Penrith, Jett Cleary chose to carve his own path, crossing the Tasman to join the New Zealand Warriors. After patiently progressing through the pathway grades, his NRL debut came in Round 26 against the Knights at Go Media Stadium. Stepping up amid a Warriors injury crisis in the halves, Jett delivered a masterclass in composure, laying on three try assists, pulling off 14 tackles, and constantly threatening the line with his sharpness and footwork. With his re-signing at Penrith secured for 2027, Jett will be hoping to partner his brother Nathan in the halves under the guidance of his father Ivan and with the Cleary mantra of continued growth, self-improvement and following the process.

Player Comparison – Nathan Cleary

It is hard to avoid comparison between the siblings, but there are key similarities that exist and provide a vital blueprint for Jett’s trajectory. Like Nathan early in his career, Jett plays as a disciplined, high IQ organiser who prioritises defensive toughness, clarity in the execution of sets, and letting the game come to him rather than forcing individual plays. Jett mirrors Nathan’s unflappable composure under pressure, providing a wonderful foundation that will be vital for success in week-to-week first-grade at NRL level. Comparisons to great players can be a challenge, particularly regarding siblings, however in combination with some of himself which is showing promising early signs, Jett’s comparable attributes to Nathan will become invaluable to forging his own career and success at NRL level.