NRL 2021: Kevin Walters on what Adam Reynolds can bring to the Broncos
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters is bullish on what Rabbitohs playmaker Adam Reynolds can bring to the Broncos – and says finals isn’t out of the equation.
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Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has declared Adam Reynolds will haul the embattled club back into finals contention and the premiership-winning halfback has admitted he was prepared to take on that challenge.
South Sydney on Thursday confirmed Reynolds had signed a three-year deal with the Broncos in what represents one of the most important scrumbase signings in Brisbane’s 33-year history.
Not since former halfback Ben Hunt steered Brisbane to the 2015 grand final has the club had a seasoned No.7, with the Broncos having churned through 18 halves combinations in the past four years in a desperate search for a premiership formula.
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Now, Walters believes the Broncos have the most important piece in their quest to break a 15-year title drought, snaring a 214-game halfback who has played State of Origin and won a premiership at Souths in 2014.
Reynolds will arrive at Red Hill on a $2.5 million deal from next season and Walters is confident the Rabbitohs maestro can spearhead Brisbane’s charge back into the top eight.
Asked if Reynolds can make reigning wooden-spooners the Broncos a finals team again, Walters said: “Of course I do, that’s why we signed him.
“I‘m very excited, it’s wonderful news for the club.
“The club hasn’t had a playmaker of his class and ability for some time since Ben Hunt left here (to join the Dragons).
“Adam is a premiership winner. He brings a lot of experience and a lot of composure in big situations.
“His goalkicking, his general kicking, his passing game, he is a great halfback so he will do well, but that’s for next year, we have a lot to get through this season before he arrives.”
Reynolds arrived in Brisbane on Thursday afternoon and though still in South Sydney colours, was confident he could help bring success back to Red Hill.
“(The Broncos) were a powerhouse back in the day and I believe there’s a lot of potential here to get back to where it used to be,” Reynolds said.
“That’s next year. That’s not now. I don’t want to take my focus away from South Sydney.
“Later on down the track, yes (I want to take the Broncos to the finals) but I’m not even thinking about that at the moment.
“I’ve got a team here behind me and I’m trying to focus for a game Saturday against the Sharks.
“When that challenge comes, I’m sure we’ll face it head on but for now I’m focused on South Sydney.
“I just chose Brisbane because it will be a fresh start for me, for my family.
“It’s a challenge and a challenge I’m looking forward to but that’s next year.”
Reynolds turns 31 in July and there are some concerns the pint-sized playmaker may struggle to see out his three-year term with the Broncos.
South Sydney were only prepared to offer year-to-year deals amid speculation Reynolds is on a modified training program at Redfern, a claim Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has denied.
But Walters dismissed suggestions Reynolds, who passed a Brisbane medical with flying colours before agreeing to terms, is a risky investment.
“No, I don’t think so,” he said.
“We’ve had a good look at his mind and his body.
“He is in good shape, he looks after himself, there are no problems with that whatsoever.”
The Broncos were rocked last week by Xavier Coates’ impending defection to Melbourne next season but the signing of marquee playmaker Reynolds is the feel-good story Brisbane were desperately craving.
Walters says Reynolds’ commitment is a sign of unwavering faith in the Broncos’ powerful brand.
“That’s never been a concern of mine (fear of players not joining the Broncos),” he said.
“I realise how big our club is and how powerful our club can be, but we need to get back to that winning formula and that is what every season is about – getting the Broncos back where they belong.
“I like Adam’s character. We did our background on him, he is a good family man with great values so he is the type of player that fits the mould of the player we want at our club.”
REYNOLDS BREAKS SILENCE: WHY I CHOSE THE BRONCOS
– Chris Honnery
Adam Reynolds believes joining the Broncos will give him a “fresh start” but has assured Rabbitohs fans he hasn’t given up on the South Sydney club yet.
The new Broncos signing arrived in Queensland on Thursday afternoon ahead of this weekend’s Magic Round and used his first public press conference since signing with Brisbane to assure fans he was still committed to the Rabbitohs for the rest of the 2021 season.
“It was a tough decision,” Reynolds said.
“It’s never easy leaving a place you grew up in your whole life.
“In saying that, I’m happy it’s done and out of the way and we can move one and play some footy.
“I just chose Brisbane because it will be a fresh start for me, for my family.
“It’s just a challenge and a challenge I’m looking forward to but that’s next year.
“I’ve got a commitment to South Sydney, I’m still employed by South Sydney and I’ll do everything right by South Sydney.
“For now, I’m focussed on doing my job for South Sydney and giving fans a memorable year.”
Reynolds revealed he had spoken with coach Wayne Bennett about joining Brisbane, and though it wasn’t the turning point said the conversation made him feel “more comfortable” about the move.
“Wayne’s a great coach and a great friend,” he said.
“I lean on Wayne for a lot of things whether it be football or outside of football.
“We’ve got that relationship where we can talk to each other and lean to him for some advice.
“It certainly wasn’t the making of my decision but just chatting to him made me a little more comfortable about the place and where he’s been before.
“It was a tough decision.
“It was very hard to come to that.”
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