While no NRL player ever wants to be considered a primary option off the bench, NZ Warriors duo Jazz Tevaga and Dylan Walker have proven a revelation in their side's start to the 2023 season.
With three wins from four matches, the Warriors forward pack has proven to be their trump card already, leading a strong defensive effort to close out wins.
But no NRL side is ever successful without firepower off the interchange bench and the Warriors appear to have a combination to rival the best in the competition.
Despite previously plying his trade across the centres and halves with Manly Sea Eagles, Walker has found a niche in the Warriors No.14 jersey, adding ballplaying firepower off the bench.
Meanwhile, despite missing the first three rounds of the season with injury, club stalwart Tevaga has only added to what Walker brings.
Tevaga is no stranger to a role as an impact player, named NRL Interchange Player of the Year at the 2018 Dally M Awards.
In the last two weeks, with wins over North Queensland Cowboys and Canterbury Bulldogs, the duo have been a one-two punch opposition teams have struggled to contain, with Walker sending his mate over for a try at Townsville - just the eighth in his career.
As part of a forward pack that contains star names such as captain Tohu Harris and Addin Fonua-Blake, the pair complement the team's starters in a noticeable way.
"We've got a good combination," said Tevaga. "We've got a few big boys, then me and Walks off the bench bring a lot of energy.
"We've got a lot more experience in our pack, we're a lot calmer. It's a good mix."
Their influence isn't unnoticed by teammates either. For the players backed by coach Andrew Webster to start each week, the security of having a bench that supports them so well is a luxury the Warriors have missed over the past few years.
"I hate complimenting them, but they've been killing it for us," joked Fonua-Blake.
"Me and big Bunts [Bunty Afoa] go out there and try to do a job. When those boys come on, they change the game.
"The past two games that Jazz has been playing, he bought a real punch off the bench - got himself a meat pie [try] a couple of weeks ago, with a short ball off Walks.
"Walks brings that leg speed through the middle, ballplaying that gives the team a different look. It helps us in attack, he plays that link well with Shauny [Shaun Johnson].
"I know the boys out wide love playing alongside Walks and we're having some real joy through the middle with him as well."
The Tevaga-Walker combination brings one snag. With both sporting shaved heads - Tevaga's as tribute to friend and former Warriors junior Roman Tuhimata - coaches and support staff have trouble differentiating between the two.
While a nickname for the pair is yet to stick, Tevaga is happy to use the confusion to his advantage.
"We've tossed up a few," added Tevaga. "'Hairless Hombres' is something, but 'Bald Bros' to me is real simple.
"When we're in video review, sometimes the coach gets mixed up on who's who. If Dylan Walker misses a tackle he's like, 'Jazz!' and I'm like, 'nah mate, it's Walks'.
"If I do something bad and he calls me out, I say it was Walks.
"It's been good."
Join Newshub from 6pm Sunday for live updates of the Warriors v Cronulla Sharks NRL clash
