A rugby league hooker plays in a very similar role to the half-back, harrying his team forward, being a creative lynchpin as well as possessing supreme levels of fitness to play as much of the 80 minutes as possible.

The longer a hooker stays on the field, the higher his side's chances of winning. It is as simple as that.

St Helens' Kieron Cunningham is the current undoubted star in the position. Although he has never set the game alight on an international level, his longevity and skill for the Saints in the Super League has been second to none.

He has represented the Saints over 500 times, was recently voted Super League Greatest Ever Player and at 32 remains a potent, dangerous threat when he has the ball in his hands. He is, quite simply, the man all other hookers in the Super League look up to.

However, Cameron Smith, 25, looks set to push Cunningham close when it comes to all-round greatness.

The Melbourne Storm hooker was voted the world's best player in 2007, helped the Storm win the 2007 NRL Premiership and is regarded as the best in his position Down Under.

Michael Ennis at the Bulldogs, who is also just 25, is also on the way to cementing a first-class reputation for himself.

He may already be on his fourth club, having previously represented the Newcastle Knights, St Illawarra Dragons and the Brisbane Broncos, but he has shown good mental strength to fight back from a serious cruciate ligament problem in 2006 and is a huge creative talent.