AdvertisementSportNRLNRL 2026 Opinion Forget the ‘spine’ players. This position is now the most important in rugby league Roy Masters Sports Columnist August 9, 2026 — 5:00amAugust 9, 2026 — 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Back then, “pig” was also a popular term for a rugby league forward. AdvertisementToday, it is the spine players – the halves, hooker and fullback – who are perceived as the most valuable. The edge forward running out wide like Bob McCarthy suggests rugby league has gone almost full circle.