Former Queensland coach Wayne Bennett backs Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds for Origin II

He hasn’t played State of Origin for seven years. But now Adam Reynolds can be NSW’s saviour with Wayne Bennett declaring the Broncos champion must replace the injured Nathan Cleary.

Adam Reynolds during State of Origin Game 2 between the NSW Blues and the Queensland Maroons at Suncorp Stadium , Brisbane . Picture : Gregg Porteous

Former Queensland super coach Wayne Bennett says Adam Reynolds is the man to save NSW and has called for the Broncos halfback champion to replace the injured Nathan Cleary in Origin II.

Bennett was the man who turned Reynolds into a captain during their alliance at South Sydney and the former Maroons mentor urged NSW coach Brad Fittler to end Reynolds’ seven-year exile from State of Origin.

Bennett’s assessment was backed by Broncos coach Kevin Walters, who declared Reynolds the “perfect” fit to fill the Cleary void as the injury-ravaged Blues fight to save the Origin series in Game Two on Wednesday week.

Super coach Wayne Bennett (right) worked with Adam Reynolds at South Sydney for three seasons.

Cronulla ace Nicho Hynes is rated the front-runner to replace Cleary (hamstring) after his bench debut in Origin I, while Mitchell Moses is another option, but Bennett is adamant Reynolds can outsmart the Maroons in the return bout at Suncorp.

“I’d pick him for NSW, absolutely,” said Bennett, who coached Reynolds at Souths from 2019-21.

“I would have no hesitation picking Adam.

“He has come back from concussion and they have won two games at the Broncos, so that says it all about Adam.

“He has an incredible temperament. I’ve coached Adam at Souths and I know what he brings.

“Adam has a great calmness and as a coach you have great trust in him.

“They (NSW) have a few good options, but I would be picking him at halfback.”

Adam Reynolds played two games for the Blues in 2016.

Reynolds has unhappy memories of his debut NSW campaign. He lost his only two games during the 2016 series and was forced to withdraw for the Game Three dead rubber due to injury.

But since his move to the Broncos last year, the 32-year-old has been in supreme form, piloting Brisbane to an equal share of the premiership lead this season with his playmaking guile and precise kicking game.

A full house of 50,000 screaming Queenslanders at Suncorp will hold no fears for Reynolds. The venue has been his home ground for the past two seasons and he skippered South Sydney at Suncorp in the Rabbitohs’ 2021 grand-final loss to Penrith.

Reynolds is ranked fifth in the NRL this season for try assists with 11 and former Queensland coach Walters says his Broncos skipper’s ice-cool demeanour makes him the standout choice for the NSW No.7 jumper.

“He wouldn’t be fazed by the atmosphere or the position that the Blues are in under pressure,” Walters said.

“Adam is perfect for the role.

“We (the Broncos) would love to see him there.

“‘Reyno’ has worked really hard the last couple of years, even when he was at Souths, so if he was to get that opportunity, it would mean a lot to him.

“We don’t make the calls there, that’s up to ’Freddy’ (NSW coach Fittler), but he would be great in that Origin environment.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters (right) says Reynolds has been a revelation at Brisbane.

“It’s not just his kicking, it’s his running game as well and his defence has been really good.

“He has got that experience.

“I heard Phil Gould (former NSW coach) talk about not taking rookies to Suncorp for Game Two ... well Adam has played Origin before.

“He has played in big games at Suncorp, he played a grand final there a couple of years ago and he is a regular here with the Broncos, so it makes a lot of sense to reignite that combination (with former Souths scrumbase partner and NSW hopeful Cody Walker).

“NSW have a couple of choices there with Nicho Hynes, Mitchell Moses and Cody Walker could be in contention, too ... but if they did go with Adam, he would be a good option to take.

“He is the right guy for the job.”

Originally published as Former Queensland coach Wayne Bennett backs Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds for Origin II