The funkiest storyline to follow this World Cup is how Samoa and Tonga's young halves perform. Yeah yeah, most people will celebrate the Rugby League World Cup's top end (Australia, Aotearoa, England) and there's definitely going to be attention given to how the likes of Italy, United States of America and Lebanon go about their business. Even with specific regard to Tonga and Samoa there will be more headlines given to their boisterous forward packs or game-breaking outside backs.

Keys to any RLWC success for Tonga and Samoa sit with their young halves though and with the bigger picture in mind, there's even more reason for fans to pay attention to their work. Tonga will play with Tuimoala Lolohea and Ata Hingano as their halves, while Samoa will definitely have Fa'amanu Brown as a play-maker and are likely to give him an experienced partner in Pita Godinet or Ben Roberts. Samoa do have Jarome Luai in their squad and I'm hyped to see him in action, although I'm not banking on Luai getting consistent play-making minutes.

Brown and Hingano share some creepy similarities as they are both left-sided halves who will showcases their abilities as dominant halves ahead of career-altering seasons in 2018. Brown has moved from Cronulla Sharks to the Bulldogs and this has crept under the radar with all the drama at Belmore. There weren't too many consistent opportunities at the Sharks and Brown got most of his NRL minutes during Origin or thanks to injury, so a move to the Bulldogs is likely to see Brown level-up.

The Bulldogs have signed Kieran Foran and Brown's RLWC campaign could determine what sort of role he plays next season. A sublime RLWC could have the Christchurch junior starting alongside Foran and if Brown doesn't quite get the job done, then Brown will start next season in a similar position to what he left at the Sharks.

And Samoa need a sublime RLWC from Brown. There's no noise about Samoa, no hype and the stars have aligned for Brown to play a prominent role as Anthony Milford was unavailable for selection. Instead of Brown playing second fiddle to Milford, Brown is now the dominant half; Roberts and Godinet simply aren't as good as Brown and Luai is the young buck.

When they appreciate chocolates more than money! Love my mums side of the family❣️ #Mataaho #Eua #Haateiho #appreciatewhatyouhave

648 Likes, 12 Comments - Ata Hingano (@atahingano) on Instagram: "When they appreciate chocolates more than money! Love my mums side of the family❣️ #Mataaho #Eua..."

Meeting part of Dad's side of the family as well 🇹🇴 The amount of Gratitude they have to be content with what they've got, crazy! #Fangaleounga #FoaHaapai

592 Likes, 5 Comments - Ata Hingano (@atahingano) on Instagram: "Meeting part of Dad's side of the family as well 🇹🇴 The amount of Gratitude they have to be content..."

There is also a halves spot up for grabs at the Warriors and Hingano is leading the charge to start alongside Shaun Johnson next season. Opportunities fell Hingano's way in a year that was looking as though it would see Hingano pegged back in reserve grade as Foran and Johnson both spent time on the sidelines through injury, thus allowing Hingano to gain experience. 2017 will culminate in Hingano taking the lead halves role of a Tongan team that is now surrounded by hype and how Hingano deals with this will be fascinating.

Tonga and Aotearoa Warriors need Hingano to do the same job; handle the basics and allow the other half to flourish with razzle dazzle. Both teams not only have another spicey half (Lolohea/Johnson) they also have firepower, thus limiting the role Hingano has to play and allowing him to suss out organisation, executing plays and getting the footy to the right bloke in the right situation.

Tonga have strike centres and brutally dynamic forwards, meaning Hingano's job is to engage them instead of creating opportunities through his own funk - that's what Lolohea's for.

With the Warriors, Hingano will have the all-round brilliance of Tohu Harris outside him and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck lingering. Issac Luke and Nathaniel Roache will keep defenders interested, thus allowing Hingano more time and space. Funk comes via Tuivasa-Sheck and Johnson, Hingano's just got to do his job.

Bulldogs and Warriors fans will want to see the ceiling of Brown and Hingano. In the NRL, neither has been given this much responsibility and the RLWC now has them playing dominant roles in teams that require halves to lead their structure/game plans. Wests Tigers fans on the other hand know what Tuimoala Lolohea can do as Lolohea offered some highlights this year after making the mid-season move, although his Tigers future isn't exactly certain.

Lolohea was a direct replacement for Mitchell Moses and looked his best when playing alongside Luke Brooks. Brooks handled the organisation, Lolohea handled the funk - sound familiar? The Tigers signed Josh Reynolds though as well as Benji Marshall, which will likely force Lolohea to fullback where he will replace James Tedesco. Lolohea's the only real option the Tigers have for fullback, other than moving David Nofoaluma or Kevin Naiqama there and with depth coming to their halves, this could be the last we see of Lolohea the half.

I think I speak for most geezers when I say that as long as Lolohea is consistently selected in one position some time soon, I'll be happy. If that's fullback, cool. Regardless though, Tigers fans will want to see their low key x-factor player have a heavy influence on Tonga's attack and with his Tigers future likely to be at fullback, seeing Lolohea chime in with moments of brilliance would be ideal. Tonga are set up for that as well. They have Hingano on his organisation path and Will Hopoate is pure class, just without punches of x-factor. Of the three key play-makers, Lolohea offers the most creativity and although he'll be playing different positions, creativity and x-factor translates nicely between Tonga and Wests Tigers.

Watching all the various pieces of Samoa and Tonga will be fun, but I'll be zoned in on how Brown and the young toko halves roll through this RLWC. They will be crucial to their team's success and will be the most important players for either team, while also setting themselves up for a 2018 season that could shape their respective careers.

Peace and love 27.

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