Cronk backs Reynolds for Blues job
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Australia’s leading halfback Cooper Cronk says South Sydney’s Adam Reynolds has the ability to seize the NSW State of Origin jersey with a standout performance in next month’s All Stars game.
The 22-year-old was voted into the NRL All Stars’ No.7 jersey for the annual clash against the Indigenous All Stars in Brisbane on February 9, with Test, Queensland and Melbourne halfback Cronk one of Wayne Bennett’s coach’s selections on the bench.
Reynolds, the 2012 NRL rookie of the year, was integral in steering Souths to last year’s grand-final qualifier against Canterbury, where their season collapsed after he suffered a hamstring injury just before halftime.
Sydney Roosters’ Mitchell Pearce is the incumbent NSW halfback but he and Cronulla’s Todd Carney were outplayed by Queensland duo Cronk and Johnathan Thurston as the Maroons extended their Origin domination to seven years.
In 2011, Canberra fullback Josh Dugan had a blinder in the All Stars game which springboarded him into a Blues jumper for his Origin debut.
Cronk, who will likely play the second half of the All Stars game, said Reynolds had the talent to do the same.
“He’s obviously got the skill set,” Cronk said after Storm training on Thursday.
“For a kid that debuted last year and took Souths to a final, he’s got all the attributes.
“I’m not sure what NSW are thinking but it’s a really good opportunity for him.”
Reynolds has also been selected in Laurie Daley’s 22-man Emerging Blues squad, which will gather for a weekend camp at Coogee in Sydney on Friday – proving he’s in the NSW coach’s thinking.
Cronk said Reynolds was used to big-game pressure after playing in the finals series and also in his club role with the Rabbitohs.
“He’s a good player, plays at a big club that demands success and has a lot of supporters so I wish him all the best.
“I look forward to possibly learning a few things off the young fella too.”
© AAP 2013- Explore:
- NRL, Rugby League, State Of Origin
January 18th 2013 @ 9:09am
B.A Sports said | January 18th 2013 @ 9:09am | Report comment
QLD up to their old tricks again, selecting the NSW team for NSW.
I know the NSW selectors are poor but are we going to make Meninga, Cronk and Smith the NSW selectors this year? I look forward to seeing the line up come May.
When are the Blues going to start recommending Steve Michaels as an outside back for the Maroons?
January 19th 2013 @ 8:47pm
Jake said | January 19th 2013 @ 8:47pm | Report comment
When did Cronk say he should be picked for NSW? That’s right, he didn’t. For the record, he was asked by a NSW journo, if he could see Reynolds playing SOO and that is what he replied to. You NSW supporters jumping to conclusions again. Understandable, I’d be like that too if QLD were that bad, for that long too.
January 18th 2013 @ 11:18am
Mike said | January 18th 2013 @ 11:18am | Report comment
Mitchell Pearce has played in 4 straight series & is still to stamp his mark on origin. I think it would be a mistake to give hime a 5th year in the 7 so I hope young Reynolds gets the gig.
January 18th 2013 @ 12:33pm
sam said | January 18th 2013 @ 12:33pm | Report comment
Adam Reynolds is the future, Mitchel Pearce is the past.
January 18th 2013 @ 2:16pm
Jamal said | January 18th 2013 @ 2:16pm | Report comment
I think the other Reynolds, Josh from the Bulldogs is more primed and suited to Origin than Adam at this stage.
January 18th 2013 @ 2:28pm
Scott Minto said | January 18th 2013 @ 2:28pm | Report comment
Why not have both? (Cue mexican music from the El Paso ads)
January 18th 2013 @ 2:56pm
CBdoggs4LYFE said | January 18th 2013 @ 2:56pm | Report comment
What a joke. CC needs to be quiet and sort his own business out. Unless we can create an “Avatar” scenario for Joey Johns to inhabit a healthy bionic super body, NSW will only be filling gaps and whats happened over the last 7 years will continue to repeat again. NSW need x-factor players, players with the potential to turn an Origin not a club game and when the pressure is on stand up and be counted, take the ball and lead like a BoSS! QSLD have Inglis, Slater, Smith, Thurston and to an extent Cronk..NSW have no players of similar calibre..maybe potential to be like, but none at that level and when given a chance whilt under the spotlight
January 18th 2013 @ 3:00pm
ken oldman said | January 18th 2013 @ 3:00pm | Report comment
Cooper Cronk says he could” learn a few things off the young fella”……could learn a lot more from the old fella..Tom Terrific,the greatest of the Blues half backs.
January 19th 2013 @ 1:37pm
Anakin said | January 19th 2013 @ 1:37pm | Report comment
>.Tom Terrific,the greatest of the Blues half backs.??
Are you forgetting one Peter ‘snoz’ Sterling, Steve ‘turvey’ Mortimer, or even the immortal Andrew ‘Joey’ Johns?!
January 19th 2013 @ 3:02pm
ken oldman said | January 19th 2013 @ 3:02pm | Report comment
All top quality,but if you wanted someone in the trenches with you,with a battle to be won it woud have to be Tommy
January 19th 2013 @ 7:48pm
ken oldman said | January 19th 2013 @ 7:48pm | Report comment
All top half backs,however if you were in the trenches with a battle to be won then Tommy would be the one that you would turn to.
January 20th 2013 @ 8:27am
tbee said | January 20th 2013 @ 8:27am | Report comment
id prefer josh reynolds at least you know he will run the ball not just stand and pass.Take ingliss out of souths and they struggle ito the 8.
January 21st 2013 @ 4:15pm
Charles NSW said | January 21st 2013 @ 4:15pm | Report comment
I have watched both Josh and Adam Reynolds with great interest in their ability!
It would not be out of the cards to play both in the halves, they would compliment each other well
However, we need to be very careful to do this now as it most likely far to early
Give them time to press harder for their claims to the role
Mitchell Pearce has had his chance so many times, he is just not up to it
Time will tell who we have but they all really need to show some mettle if they want it
I really like Jamie Soward potential but he has failed too!
If he shows the way, I would give him another chance but with great consideration to the 1/2 back role
I think he organizes the team better from there and with his running and kicking game it may be worth a look
January 23rd 2013 @ 3:47pm
Brett said | January 23rd 2013 @ 3:47pm | Report comment
Jamie Soward and Todd Carney should be the blues halves combination. I don’t mind adam reynolds but he is WAY to raw and I HATE josh reynolds almosts as much as i hate Cooper Gronk.