Meet the Kiwis’ new-look spine

Spines are the foundation on which successful rugby league teams are built.

The term refers to four key players – the halves, wearing Nos 6 and 7; the hooker, wearing No 9; and the fullback, wearing No 1.

Today at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium, when the Kiwis face Mate Ma’a Tonga, they will have debutant Dylan Brown and Jahrome Hughes, making his first start in his fourth test, in the halves; Brandon Smith, making his eighth start, at hooker; and Joseph Manu, a centre in his eight previous starts, at fullback.

Smith and Hughes came through the ranks at the Melbourne Storm watching, then playing with, halfback Cooper Cronk, hooker Cam Smith and fullback Billy Slater, a trio of players who formed one of the most iconic spines in NRL history.

Having seen them operate up close, including during the 2017 season when they won the title, they’re as well-placed as anyone to explain why those roles are so crucial.

‘‘They get paid the most, so they’re the most important players on the field,’’ says Smith.

‘‘Your forwards are the engine room of the team, and they’re very important as well, but the spine are the people that steer the ship around – their voices are the loudest in the game. Billy, Cam and Cooper Cronk taught me a lot.’’

Today’s match is the Kiwis’ only international outing before the World Cup in England in October.

If any of the quartet forming the Kiwis’ new-look spine were in need of a wrap, they need look no further than Smith, who is set to play his 100th NRL game for the Storm once he returns to club duty next weekend.

Of his club team-mate Hughes, he says: ‘‘He’s halfback of the year at the moment and his leadership skills have gone through the roof’’.

Of Parramatta Eels star Brown: ‘‘For a period of time this year, he