As Brisbane’s press conference concluded after their 24-20 win over Newcastle their inspirational skipper Adam Reynolds said: “Go the Blues.”
Whether the 32-year-old Broncos No.7 gets a recall to play for the NSW Blues in game two of the State of Origin series at Suncorp Stadium is now in the hands of the selectors but he could not have done any more to put himself in the frame after a brilliant year so far.
Reynolds, with 12 try assists in 14 games this season, has guided the Broncos to the joint NRL competition lead with Penrith on 22 points.
NSW are without talismanic halfback Nathan Cleary (hamstring) for the rest of the Origin series. Reynolds, Parramatta’s Mitchell Moses and Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes are the trio in the frame to replace him in Brisbane on June 21.
Reynolds’ supreme kicking game is in a similar class to Cleary and he has the game management skills that are required in Origin football.
Reynolds, who was starting half in South Sydney’s 2014 premiership win, has taken his game to another level since he played his two games for NSW in 2016.
“I know the game a lot better now and am a lot more confident in my own game,” Reynolds said.
“I know my strengths and my weaknesses. It is all irrelevant what I say. It is up to Freddy (NSW coach Brad Fittler) and the coaching staff now.
“If they want to go my way I am more than happy to put my hand up and do my best.
“I have no bearing on what happens from here. If I get selected, great. If I don’t get selected I will still be cheering on the Blues.”
Reynolds wasn’t at his brilliant best in the win over the Knights but when the Broncos trailed by two points with three minutes remaining he started and finished a play that gave his side the win.
That propensity to shine when a game is on the line would be invaluable in the Origin cauldron at Suncorp Stadium.
“He has been in some big moments in his career and that is one of the reasons we got him here. Tonight was a perfect example of why we got him,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters said.
Brisbane prop Payne Haas will be one of the first picked for NSW and he is backing Reynolds to be the Blues new half.
“I am probably biased because I am his teammate but I feel like Reyno is ready,” Haas said.
“He has been one of the form halfbacks this year, and the last few years. I am hoping he gets picked, and I reckon he should.”
