Now that Shaun Johnson has put pen to paper on a one-year deal to remain with NZ Warriors in 2024, coach Andrew Webster has a difficult decision as to who stands alongside him at No.6.
Johnson has ended speculation over his future by signing a one-year contract extension, confirming he only saw his future at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart.
While Johnson's commitment is welcome, it only adds a piece to the jigsaw of what the team will look like next season.
The club has five halves contracted for next season, with Luke Metcalf, Te Maire Martin, Ronald Volkman and the returning Chanel Harris-Tavita all options alongside Johnson.
Barring injury, Johnson is almost certain to command the No.7 jersey whenever available, but who partners him at five-eighth is anyone's guess.
After starting the season in fine form, Martin broke a leg came at the wrong time for the NZ Kiwis playmaker, who has been out of action since the round six loss to Newcastle Knights.
In his absence, Metcalf, 24, has gone from strength to strength in the Warriors spine, producing arguably his best NRL display in last weekend's 46-10 victory over Parramatta Eels.
On the surface, Metcalf v Martin looms as the battle for the No.6 jersey, although Volkman's form in the New South Wales Cup and Harris-Tavita's return after a year off will also tempt Webster, who insists he isn't leaning one way or another for now.
"I promise you, I've not thought about next year," said Webster. "I haven't.
"Luke's best game last weekend was through the execution of how reliable it was. At the end of the day, Luke was running fast, which is what he's good at.
"He had options around him and he chose the right ones. That's a great recipe for Luke to play well.
"It's within our system, our plays, and they're designed well for him and designed well for the rest of the team.
"I was just so happy that he finally got to put that together. I feel like it's been building.
"I love Te Maire, I love [Metcalf] - it's just not a competition right now."
First, Martin, 27, must win his spot back. He hasn't returned to the field yet after breaking his leg, but is close.
"He's going alright, he's slowly getting better," Webster added. "It's not going as quick as we'd like, but it's not terrible either.
"X-rays are showing that the bone's healing really well. We should see him back in the next month."
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