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Round 6 writeup: One Week nominates Adam Reynolds as New South Wales’ new Man of Steel, hands out its Quarterly Awards, and makes three shocking predictions for the rest of the season.
The Daley Planet: Time for Adam Reynolds to save the day
So here we are again in 2016, with State of Origin fast approaching and speculation on the make-up of the NSW team already in overdrive. As always, the focus of team selection is aimed squarely at Cockroach kryptonite – the halves pairing.
Since Queensland began its decade of domination in 2006, the Maroons have been the model of consistency and stability in the halves, using only five different scrumbase combinations across 30 games. To put this figure in context, Australia has been represented by five different Prime Ministers during this same span of time: you have as much chance of leading the country as breaking into the Queensland Origin team.
New South Wales, on the other hand, have experimented with 17 different halves combinations since Andrew Johns gave it away in 2005. Many, including Johns himself, are again preaching for change, this time in the form of Canberra halves Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer. Yet Daley recently quashed speculation that the blossoming Raiders tandem would get the call-up, citing a lack of consistency and big game experience as potential hurdles to selection.
So what are our remaining options? An out of form Trent Hodkinson playing for a team who has only won a single game? Surely not. An out of favour Mitchell Pearce who has yet to play a game this season, and who has failed to make his mark for NSW despite innumerable chances? Hopefully not. An out of control Josh Reynolds, who relies on effort and energy rather than skill and execution? God help us. Is there not someone ready to swoop in and save the day?
But wait! What’s that up there in the sky? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s diminutive Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds! Surely, the time has come for the Blues to give Reynolds his shot.
But why should Daley pick Adam Reynolds? Firstly, his kicking game. A key flaw in recent Origin campaigns has been the inability of NSW to force repeat sets of six when attacking the Queensland line, along with poor execution in finding open space on clearing kicks. The sight of Billy Slater fielding the ball in full stride has been an ongoing nightmare for Blues supporters for the better part of a decade. Reynolds addresses both of these issues. His short kicking game is outstanding, both in terms of creating try scoring opportunities and forcing repeat sets. He also possesses one of the longest boots in the game, and just to sweeten the deal, he is one of the NRL’s most accurate goal kickers.
Secondly, NSW play a very similar style of football to South Sydney. The Blues will focus on possession and field position, using their massive forwards, including James Tamou, Aaron Woods and David Klemmer, to batter the smaller Queensland pack into submission, similar to the way the Bunnies use the Burgess brothers. Reynolds has enjoyed success in the Rabbitohs system, and this should help his transition into the NSW squad.
Thirdly, Reynolds is blessed with the calm on-field demeanour that Daley has found so alluring in Trent Hodkinson. Courtesy of a Premiership victory and four consecutive finals campaigns, Reynolds also has the big match experience that Daley feels is lacking in the Raiders halves pairing.
Finally, and most importantly, what has NSW got to lose by giving Adam Reynolds a chance? Reynolds is scheduled to return to action in Round 7 as the Bunnies embark on a horror roadtrip north of the border. If he can guide Souths to victory over the Broncos and/or Cowboys, he will have cemented his spot in the NSW team for Game 1.
The Quarter Quell – One Week’s quarterly awards
Hard to believe it, but the conclusion of Round 6 means we are already at the quarter post of the 2016 NRL season. To mark the occasion, One Week presents its Quarterly Awards:
Best Game – Broncos 21 def. Cowboys 20 in Round 4. Rarely does a game with such hype live up to the outrageous expectations, but this grand final rematch was sensational. A rugby league showcase between the two top sides in the competition. Unlikely we will see a better game all year.
Worst Game – Eels 8 def. Tigers 0 in Round 4. This one was painful to watch. It was almost as though the ball was covered in spiders, such was the players’ reluctance to hold onto it.
Most Surprising Team – Gold Coast Titans. Widely tipped for the wooden spoon and operating with less talent than Bindi Irwin, the plucky Titans have proven no easy beats. Coach Neil Henry must be chuffed.
Most Disappointing Team – St George Illawarra Dragons. Different coaches, different philosophies, different players, same result. The Dragons just don’t score enough points. Massive changes needed.
Most Valuable Player – Anthony Milford. The Milf has been in seductive form thus far in 2016, and has transformed into the most dangerous running half in the competition. He reeks of Dally M.
Most Disappointing Player – Gareth Widdop – While Benji bears the brunt of the criticism, Widdop has been badly out of form in 2016. Since signing with the Dragons a couple of seasons ago, his play has regressed faster than Paul Kent’s hairline.
Comeback Player – Ben Barba. Waiting for Barba to return to form has been like waiting for the second coming of Full House. Much too long but worth the wait.
Best Buy – Beau Scott. I thought he was done after he phoned it in for Newcastle last season, but Scott has been the linchpin in a vastly improved Parramatta defence.
Worst Buy – Jeff Robson. This has been subtraction by addition. Robson has stifled the attacking play of Shaun Johnson, and stunted the development of his future halves partner Tuimoala Lolohea. No offence Robbo, but you just aren’t the answer.
Team of the quarter
Three bold predictions
With a quarter of the season done and dusted, what better time than now for a few irresponsible predictions of how it will all finish up. Below are three headlines One Week expects to see by season’s end:
Todd goes soft on Parramatta – The new CEO of the National Rugby League reminds me of the kid in school who would always let you borrow his toys, so long as you would be his friend. Oh wait, that was me…
Anyway, Greenberg will treat the job as a popularity contest, afraid to make the tough calls and instead trying to please everyone. Despite its corporate governance regime being less impressive than my son’s lemonade stand, the Eels remain a very powerful club, and Todd knows it. So Parramatta will once again escape with a slap on the wrist and a small fine. All is forgiven. Boys will be boys.
Roosters sign trio of code jumpers – After missing the finals for the first time in many seasons, the Roosters won’t be kicking cans. The signings of Sonny Bill Williams, Jarryd Hayne and Lionel Messi will represent a huge coup for Nick Politis.
Many have already predicted the poaching of Hayne and Sonny Bill Williams, but the arrival of the Argentine wizard in Bondi will raise a few eyebrows. Coach Trent Robinson will claim that Messi’s skillset will translate well into rugby league, and after they offload backup hooker Ian Henderson, the Roosters will be confident of fitting the talented threesome under the salary cap for 2017.
Cameron Smith named new Head of Football – The Melbourne captain is already the most influential man in rugby league. Why not make it official? While assisting Todd Greenberg in running the game may clash with his duties for Melbourne, Queensland and Australia, I’m sure Craig Bellamy won’t mind. His first order of business? Eliminate 5-day turnarounds.