Reynolds, Keary set to be Souths halves

Adam Reynolds and Luke Keary are set to be South Sydney’s first-choice halves combination this year after coach Michael Maguire named his first line-up for 2014 on Wednesday.

Reynolds was named at halfback and young gun Keary at five-eighth for the Rabbitohs’ first trial against Canterbury at Belmore Oval on Sunday.

Regular No.6 John Sutton is a key omission from the 21-man squad, alongside Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess and Issac Luke.

But Maguire said the combination of Reynolds and Keary was a sign of things to come with Sutton poised to spend much of the season in the back-row.

“Adam and Luke did a little bit of that last year and we are looking forward to hopefully that relationship growing and seeing where it takes us,” Maguire told the Souths’ website.

“John get his opportunities to play in the middle there at times so we have some good options there.

“With Luke and Adam we had a bit of an insight last year to see how they played together it is going to be very exciting for us.

Former dual international Lote Tuqiri is set to make his Rabbitohs debut against the Bulldogs after being named on the bench.

Tuqiri, 34, joined Souths on a one-year deal last month after the Wests Tigers opted not to renew his contract at the end of last season.

Maguire said he was eager to see how Tuqiri was travelling.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him back in the game,” Tuqiri said.

“He has been an outstanding player and has had a great career and hopefully he can add to that with us.”

After back-to-back preliminary final losses, Maguire said his side was raring to go.

“We have had a great pre-season, the intensity is there, and the boys have put in over that period and we are looking forward to the game,” he said.