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Last year I was fortunate enough to have Canterbury Bulldogs five-eighth Josh Reynolds on my radio program at a park football match in Sydney’s southwest.
It was not scheduled and nobody knew the fiery playmaker would even be at the match. But like good siblings do, Reynolds was there supporting his younger brother.
Reynolds was good enough to come on and have a chat about his meteoric rise under new coach Des Hasler. Even when the power went out for a few minutes, the Bulldog hung around and answered all our questions.
When you think Josh Reynolds, you think of a player who will never back down and always support his teammates. The kind of guy you want on the paddock with you when the chips are down.
Since his debut, Reynolds has gained somewhat of a reputation as a niggler. Is it any wonder that the day he was out in Liverpool watching his brother play, that brother was sent off for fighting?
We have only had two weeks of the new National Rugby League season, yet the media has already started the State of Origin hype and the seemingly endless journey to find New South Wales’ halves combination that finally ends Queensland’s dominance.
Does Mitchell Pearce get another chance or is it time for Adam Reynolds?
Can Todd Carney hold onto the number six jersey or will Josh Reynolds be the next bloke thrown into the deep end against the might of the Maroons?
But this isn’t a pro-Reynolds story. To play both Reynolds boys is a sin Blues selectors simply can’t commit. For the sake of both their futures, please don’t pick them this year.
Now that isn’t to say the Blues can’t win with Pearce and Carney at the helm. NSW coach Laurie Daley was right in supporting the incumbents. How close were the Blues in 2012?
Whether you like them or not, Pearce and Carney have to be New South Wales’ six and seven for Game One on the fifth of June at ANZ Stadium.
Adam Reynolds might be the reigning NRL Rookie of the Year, but is that enough justification to hand him the toughest job in the rugby league world?
The diminutive playmaker is still evolving.
Prior to season 2012, Canterbury pivot Josh Reynolds was playing reserve grade. This is only his second full season.
These young men aren’t ready to carry the burden of leading the Blues. Although Bulldogs legend Steve Mortimer seems to disagree.
“I am a big fan of Josh Reynolds and from what I’ve seen from him, there is a definite opportunity for him to go further in the game through representative football,” Mortimer told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“He is a catalyst in attack. Just like Thurston is for the Cowboys and Cronk is for the Storm, Reynolds is that catalyst for the Bulldogs. I do honestly believe with the players around him at Origin level, he’ll mature into one of the key players for us in a Blues jersey.”
For the time being, Carney/Pearce still sounds a whole lot better than Reynolds/Reynolds. The former Roosters teammates have played Origin together and they know what kind of speed you need to play Origin at.
Have they got the Blues over the line yet? Obviously not. But what happens if the two Reynolds are picked and struggle with the occasion? What then?
How long are they scarred for? Would the risk of a repeat in Game Two see Carney and Pearce back anyway?
The Blues need to win Game One or the series is over. It is that simple.
Do we need to throw two rookies to the lions for the sake of it?
Have Peter Wallace or Terry Campese ever been the same after their brief stays in the Origin arena?
Everyone needs to chill and let the future unfold as it always seems to do.
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