Forgotten Wests Tigers star Josh Reynolds eyes positional switch to hooker in bid to revive career
He led the Blues to an Origin series win at five-eighth but forgotten Wests Tigers star Josh Reynolds concedes his NRL future rests with a move into the forward pack.
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Josh Reynolds has put his hand up to fill the Tigers vacant hooking position in a bid to resurrect his career.
Reynolds will train this pre-season at dummy half as the Tigers look to fill the void left by Robbie Farah’s retirement.
A serious knee injury to Jacob Liddle has the Tigers scrambling to find a suitable hooker.
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Skipper Moses Mbye could also find his way to the No. 9 jersey but it is Reynolds who wants first crack at it.
“(Coach Michael Maguire) and I have spoken about it,” Reynolds said.
“Benji (Marshall) and Brooksy (Luke Brooks) are going to be in the halves. I’m in the same predicament as this year. If that’s the way I need to get into the team then I’m all for it.
“The four weeks going into the last round I probably wouldn’t have said this but getting in there – it’s not as hard as I thought it would be. I was only playing 40-50 minutes, playing 80 minutes will be a different ball game but if that’s the way I’m going to get back in the team I will definitely take the position if it’s up for grabs.
“I’ve said to Madge if I’m a chance then I’ll have a crack.”
Injuries forced Reynolds to play at hooker in the final three games after losing the chance to partner Brooks in the halves to Marshall.
He spent the bulk of the season playing for Western Suburbs in the halves in reserve grade, struggling to get a shot in the top grade.
Reynolds said an opportunity to spend his first full pre-season training at hooker though will help him make the adjustments he needs to in his game.
“It wasn’t in my natural position,” Reynolds said.
“I felt pretty good in there. Just to be back in the team and among the boys it’s a different feeling then going in and not really being part of it. I was glad I could string a few games together.
“The fitness (is the biggest challenge). You’re in the washing machine. You’re non stop. In the halves you make two tackles and then you go back there. In the halves it’s different. Defence is the biggest thing I need to work on
“My attack comes naturally. It’s just getting to know the different techniques. I’ll still do some work at five-eighth but I know how to play there if I need to.”
Reynolds arrived at the Tigers last year as a high-profile recruit from the Bulldogs. Injuries restricted him to just 12 games in his first two years and despite his inability to play consistent first grade, there was praise for the former Blues five-eighth who kept his energy levels at training high.
Reynolds, 30, has no intention of leaving the Tigers with his rich deal not ending until 2021.
“It’s been my most challenging year,” Reynolds said.
“Whether it was injury or not getting picked in the team. I had a bit of adversity. That’s just life isn’t it? I felt I handled it pretty well. Towards the back end I got some good footy in and I felt really good.
“It’s just life. There are a lot more worse things going on in life. You go in and see the boys and it’s nothing on them. There is no reason I should change towards them. I would like to think I never changed. It’s one of those things I hope I’m known for.
“(The contract talk) doesn’t distract me. I’m still contracted for two years. There a lot of people in worse positions without a contract. I’m there, they signed me. It is what it is. If something does pop-up I’ll assess the situation and we will go from there.”
Originally published as Forgotten Wests Tigers star Josh Reynolds eyes positional switch to hooker in bid to revive career
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