Jahrome Hughes is willing and ready to embrace becoming New Zealand's next face of rugby league, detailing how last year's Kiwi camp spurred on his career-best form.
Hughes remains one of the front-runners for this year's Dally M Medal, after Melbourne all but wrapped up the minor premiership with Thursday night's win over Penrith.
The 29-year-old has enjoyed the best season of his career in 2024, stepping up in the absence of Cameron Munster and playing with control while also setting up 21 tries.
He traces his confidence back to last year's Pacific Championships, where he was handed a leadership role with New Zealand and helped them claim the title over Australia.
"I probably never thought of myself of going to be the leader of a national side. I really embraced it," Hughes said.
"I reckon it helped me play better footy. And then I just tried to take that. I tried to take that back to Storm this year, I wanted to take a bigger role.
"I felt like it helped my game if I was the leader of the team or took the reins.
"That doesn’t mean I have to be a star player, it’s more about controlling the team or players.
"It’s probably a big reason why I’ve played my best footy this year. If I can take the reins of a national side, that definitely helps my confidence with the Storm side."
Hughes does not like discussing his Dally M chances, adamant the shot at Melbourne's first premiership in four years is far more important.
But the reality is the Storm No.7 is on track to become the fourth Kiwi to win the Medal, after Gary Freeman, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Jason Taumalolo.
The award would almost certainly see him become New Zealand's biggest-name player after Shaun Johnson's impending retirement, an unofficial role previously held by the likes of Benji Marshall and Stacey Jones.
"I’m happy to do that, especially if the team and the coach wants me to," Hughes said.
"I like that responsibility, it helps me play better footy.
"If they want me to be that guy I’m happy to be that guy, I won’t say I’m going to be that guy because it doesn’t always work like that.
"But Stacey Jones is the coach now, if he wants me to be that guy and the leaders want me to be that guy then I’m happy to do that."
Melbourne have indicated they will rest players over the final three rounds of the regular season, with a top-two spot now wrapped up.
Hughes and the rest of Melbourne's first-choice spine have had only nine games together this year, but the No.7 is confident they are now finding their best.
"We're just trying to strip it right back and play to our strengths," he said.
"I thought Munster was really good (against Penrith). The whole spine played really well. Paps (Ryan Papenhuyen) had 22 runs, he was really involved.
"Then it's just playing to my strengths and keeping it simple. I just have to keep the team together and kick well."
