Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds believes the Roosters are now the most hated team in the NRL

Adam Reynolds stirred the pot ahead of Souths’ showdown against the Roosters by saying Trent Robinson’s side have now overtaken Manly as the competition’s most hated team.

Victor Radley of the Roosters during the NRL First Qualifying Final match between the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at the SCG in Sydney, Friday, September 13, 2019. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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When South Sydney’s Adam Reynolds was asked if the Sydney Roosters had overtaken Manly as the most hated team in the NRL the halfback responded without any hesitation.

“100 per cent,” Reynolds replied.

Friday night’s blockbuster between the two-time reigning premiers and the Rabbitohs marks another chapter in the Book of Feuds with Latrell Mitchell going up against his former club for the first time, and Reynolds is expecting another “fiery encounter.”

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There’s nothing like a bit of Rabbitohs-Roosters rivalry to get the season restarted.

“They’re are our rivals and we share a border with them, with the history and what’s gone on between the two clubs things get heated as everyone knows. They are always great games when we come up against them. They are always tough and always physical,” he said.

“I can’t speak on behalf of every other club, there is obviously reasons why everyone hates them but for us it’s about that rivalry.”

Five-eighth Cody Walker will miss Friday night’s game after he was suspended for two matches for his role in a street fight back in December. As revealed in The Daily Telegraph last week, it means Reynolds will have a new partner in the halves with Troy Dargan to step into Walker’s spot in the starting side. Reynolds said Dargan and Walker shared similar playing styles.

“He’s a cool, calm and collected sort of kid. He doesn’t talk too much, he’s pretty quiet but once he gets out there on the field he is a different beast. He’s a bit similar to Cody Walker, his running game is his strength and he’s dangerous when he takes the line on, he’s got a good show and go and he’s got nice hands as well,” Reynolds said.

Originally published as Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds believes the Roosters are now the most hated team in the NRL