NRL power rankings: we rank the competition's starting five-eighths Rank the five-eighths. And now we've got a bit of time on our hands, we can consider the game's big issues - like, who is the best five-eighth in the competition? We've ranked each club's starting No. 6 below based on their performances in 2014. Kieran Foran in action. Kieran Foran (Manly) One of the most complete players in the competition, it's no surprise Foran's future remains the subject of so much conjecture and that Manly are said to be ready to bust the $1 million mark for the Kiwi star. Foran has pretty much everything - strength, toughness, great passing and kicking, creativity and consistency. They are qualities that make him the perfect partner to bring the best out of Daly Cherry-Evans. Manly should break the bank to keep him. Jamie Soward (Panthers) Just like his teammate James Segeyaro in our list of hookers, Jamie Soward wouldn't have been so far up the rankings before 2014. But his performance for Penrith last term was nothing short of inspirational. In spite of the antipathy directed at him by fans, Soward was a revelation at five-eighth under Ivan Cleary. With one of the best kicking games in the comp - see that memorable match-winner against the Roosters - Soward was involved in almost 40 per cent of the Panthers" tries. Even that six shooters celebration stopped being embarrassing. Dragons star Gareth Widdop takes a pass. Gareth Widdop (Dragons) Giving up Melbourne Storm for St George Illawarra was a brave decision but Gareth Widdop was smart enough to see the opening and take it - much like his play on the field - and both he and the Dragons are reaping the rewards. Widdop was one of the few bright spots for the Dragons in 2014. He is a cultured, intelligent player who has brought everything he learned playing alongside Cooper Cronk to build his own reputation as a composed leader. His burgeoning partnership with the much-derided Benji Marshall could mean the Dragons" 2015 won't be as bad as everyone is predicting. Josh Reynolds (Bulldogs) On the surface, 2014 was a success for Josh Reynolds - he went all the way to the grand final and was part of a victorious NSW Origin side. But despite that, the man they call "Grub" barely came out of it with his reputation intact. Energetic, aggressive, competitive - all the attributes that make Reynolds successful are also part of his downfall, resulting in far too many meetings with the judiciary. His detractors would have it that the frenzied edge covers the gaps in Reynolds's talent and technique. He's not top of our list but you don't reach the levels of the game that he has without being a decent player. James Maloney (Roosters) After peaking with a premiership last year, Maloney never really found his best in 2014. He struggled to drag himself out of an early form slump that culminated in being dumped from the NSW team for State of Origin, albeit partly as collateral damage for Mitchell Pearce's indiscretions. Inconsistency was Maloney's real battle; he finished as the competition's top goalkicker and second highest points scorer, but also had the most handling errors and a high rate of missed tackles. The 28-year-old undoubtedly has quality but if he's not consistent, it doesn't count for much. Luke Keary of the Rabbitohs celebrates winning the 2014 NRL Grand Final. Luke Keary (Rabbitohs) We recognise Keary is still a newcomer but we've rated him here purely on his red-hot season at five-eighth in the Rabbitohs" run to their historic premiership. A great runner, clever with the ball and utterly fearless despite his 178cm and 84kg stature, Keary succeeded in the most high pressure football and helped take the heat and attention off Greg Inglis and Adam Reynolds. Whether the 22-year-old can maintain that form into 2015 remains to be seen. Anthony Milford (Broncos) Not only does Anthony Milford arrive in Brisbane as one of the most hyped young talents in the competition but he does so under the glaring spotlight on Wayne Bennett's return - and a publicised switch to five-eighth. After impressing at No. 6 towards the end of the season for Canberra, Milford knows he will be under scrutiny and will only be afforded a short window of adjustment. A naturally creative talent, Milford knows he has to adhere to the structure or incur Bennett's wrath. But that incredible speed and attacking drive should see him through as Bennett works on his gameplay. Jarrod Mullen scores for the Knights. Jarrod Mullen (Knights) Defensively sound and with a great kicking game, consistency appears to be Mullen's downfall. After peaking in 2013, he struggled to find his best form last season, with former coach Wayne Bennett publicly questioning his decision-making. Kurt Gidley's switch back to the halves helped him regain some of his running game but Newcastle fans will want to see more creativity and responsibility from their playmaker next term. Aidan Sezer (Titans) It's tempting to wonder if the Titans" dreadful season might have been any better had their classy playmaker not missed a substantial number of games through injury. But the bigger question is whether the Titans will be able to keep hold off rivals bids for the admired 23-year-old. His unflashy but consistent play and clever distribution has made the former Bulldog a target for a number of other clubs. Gold Coast would do very well to keep hold of Sezer - a player of his quality always has options. Ben Barba (Sharks) Barba's mid-season switch from struggling fullback to five-eighth did see some improvement in his form (he scored five tries in nine games as No. 6) but not enough to save his career as a Bronco. Yet the move to Cronulla, where he will be playing behind a consistent and experienced forward pack that has added Michael Ennis, and also alongside a veteran halfback in Jeff Robson, could be just what the 25-year-old needs to bring out his best. Or at least, better that his forgettable year in Brisbane. Corey Norman in action. Corey Norman (Eels) After a mixed time with Brisbane, Norman moved to Parramatta with the aim of fulfilling his well-regarded potential. But one season on, the Eels are still waiting to see the best of the 23-year-old. Norman has plenty of energy but without Jarryd Hayne on hand to pile on the points, the scrutiny on his vision, decision-making and ability to take the game by the scruff of the neck will be even greater. Chad Townsend (Warriors) Former Junior Kangaroos captain Townsend appears to have secured his place as the Warriors starting five-eighth in 2015 after maturing through last season to become one of the Kiwis" more reliable performers. A solid defender with a decent kicking and passing game, but lacking speed, the 23-year-old reportedly attracted interest from a number of other clubs. Yet his adjustment to life in Auckland, as well the likelihood of consistent football in partnership with the explosive Shaun Johnson, should see Townsend progress next term. Robert Lui (Cowboys) Robert Lui's off-field problems have been well documented but season 2014 at least offered some on-field redemption for the 24-year-old. Lui was diabolical for the first half of the season, culminating in a major error that cost the Cowboys the game against the Dragons in Round 17, after which North Queensland coach Paul Green left his five-eighth with no misapprehensions ast to where he was going wrong. Playing for his contract and with individual training sessions working on tactics and technique, Lui turned it around and become a vital part of the Cowboys" dramatic push into the finals. Tigers five-eighth Mitchell Moses is tackled. Mitchell Moses (Wests Tigers) An Australian schoolboy five-eighth, Moses is tipped for big things around Leichhardt and his debut NRL season certainly suggested good things are ahead. But at 182cm and a lightweight 80kg, it was a tough start to life in first-grade for the local junior, particularly as the club imploded on and off the field. Moses" halves partnership with Luke Brooks was convincing enough for the 20-year-old to push Blake Austin out of the club - now the Tigers" 2015 hopes hang on these two kids fulfilling their promise. Blake Austin (Raiders) After leaving Wests Tigers for the Raiders in the hope of securing the No. 6 jersey, Austin was duly told by Ricky Stuart it's still no guarantee - although that's probably just a motivational jab on Sticky's part. With Terry Campese on the outer, Austin's desire is set to make him Anthony Milford's direct replacement. But can he deliver? He impressed in his few games at No. 6 for the Tigers, he runs and kicks well and breaks tackles, but so far has failed to show that killer edge. He wanted his chance - now he has to own it. Blake Green (Storm) Five-eighth has been a sore point for Craig Bellamy since Gareth Widdop left Melbourne, with Ben Roberts and Joel Romelo both failing to convince. Youngster Ben Hampton also struggled but remains a long-term project. After leading Wigan to the Super League title, former Eels, Sharks and Bulldogs player Green returns to the NRL more experienced and hopefully up to the standards required by Bellamy and the Storm. Who is the NRL's best five-eighth? Originally published as NRL power rankings: the five-eighths