Sam Burgess: Moment I knew Adam Reynolds was destined to captain South Sydney
Adam Reynolds has spent almost his entire career playing alongside Sam Burgess - but there was one moment that showed the Englishman just what South Sydney means to the new Rabbitohs captain.
Rabbitohs
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rabbitohs. Followed categories will be added to My News.
TIPS.COM.AU: Over $2 million in prizes to be won
CAMPO’S CORNER: How Mitch Barnett explains the Knights
Adam Reynolds grew up in Morehead Street, a stone’s throw away from Redfern Oval.
It’s funny, I never really realised how close he’d always been to the heart and soul of South Sydney.
It was mid-2019 and we were having a ‘down day’ together.
Our morning had begun at Redfern with a small weight session into some recovery, followed by a session at Fluid Form Pilates, owned and run by Matt King’s wife Kirsten.
That’s on Danks St, only a five minute walk from Redfern Oval.
It was a hot morning and like kids back in the day we walked there with our shirts off.
Adam took me on a route I hadn’t been on before, a few backstreets and past his house he grew up in - the house his parents still live in today.
LIVE stream the 2020 NRL pre-season Trials with KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
It hit me right there and then: South Sydney was life for Adam and his family.
I was trying to hold back the questions I had swirling around my head but couldn’t help it.
“What, that’s where you grew up?”
“Yeah, why?”
And so I went.
Well it was normal for Adam, for me it was absolute beauty. A home grown kid living a dream.
From the downside of advantage, he found a way to succeed.
He continued to show me where he played as a kid, the lampposts he would practice his side step on, the back alleys they would play two on two.
And of course, Adam explained how he would sneak into Redfern Oval and kick the ball for hours on end.
Here’s a small glimpse into Adam’s rise to captaining his beloved South Sydney.
He played for both Alexandria Rovers and Kensington United.
FOOTY TIPS! Join Australia’s best footy tipping competition for your chance to win big. Add our experts to your league and join now at TIPS.COM.AU.
He stormed through Harold Matts, SG Ball and the under 20s ranks at Souths and capped off his junior career with a grand final showdown in 2010 against Shaun Johnson and a super Warriors team.
Plenty of young men from that team have gone on to have wonderful NRL careers.
Adam’s family are also South Sydney through and through.
His older brother, Wayne, was his hero, the bloke always telling him to push his limits.
In 2011 he suffered a torn ACL and missed almost the entire season.
The next year Chris Sandow left for the Eels, and it was Adam’s time.
I’ll never forget Adam’s entrance to the NRL, he has always been a cheeky little bugger, like most halfbacks.
Splashing water from the ice baths on players enjoying a warm shower. Hiding players’ shoes right before they leave. Switching the lights off as the doctor is reviewing an injury. The list goes on.
But come kick off he is respectful, sometimes reserved, and focused on the job he needs to do.
I’d say he was fortunate to have the fossil John Sutton as his halves partner in his early years, because Sutto was a master of the game and dominant voice throughout the team.
Adam was left with a simple job, to organise last plays and his right edge. Well, if you can call that a simple job.
But in my opinion he was the best in the business.
We finished 10th in 2011. In Adam’s first season we finished third and fell away in the preliminary final to the Bulldogs. I felt we were in control of the game until Adam pulled his hamstring 30 minutes into the game and we ended up losing.
Adam’s most defining moment came that year, and one I believe tells you the best story.
In mid June we played the Eels. Chris Sandow v Adam Reynolds.
Imagine the hype. Old bull vs young pup.
Sandow intercepts a ball in the far right corner on his own try line and pins his ears back.
Adam, on the other side of the field did the same thing in cover defence.
Every 10 metres he was closing in on him, finally tackling him over the sideline just short of the try line.
A huge play in the context of the game, a huge play in the context of Adam’s career and a huge play for the fans of South Sydney.
That moment was the end result of being a born and bred Redfern boy.
My relationship with Adam has evolved over the past decade. Although similar in age, I’ve always seen him as my little mate. Almost like a younger brother. I always try to ‘fall in love’ with my halfbacks as they are essentially the most influential players.
I can safely say that was easy with Adam.
I didn’t realise how much I cared for my teammates until I left for England and was watching a replay of the 2014 grand final in my apartment in Bath.
When Adam scored in the 73rd minute and I saw him run into the crowd and celebrate, the euphoria on his face brought me to glassy eyes all the way in little old Bath.
I had the same watching Luke Keary in all the aftermath of that game too.
So, I asked earlier, what’s changed?
Well, a lot really, but in the same breath I’m tempted to say nothing at all.
He is still the heartbeat at Redfern, kicking the ball around Redfern.
Standing 173cm (on a good day) and weighing in at 85kg (again, on a good day).
Only now, he leads the team into the 2020 season.
He has seen four coaches come over his time, numerous players come and go.
In my opinion, he is the man for the job. He is greatly supported by his two other little mates Cody Walker and Damien Cook, who are leaders in their own rights,
Cody, a pioneer for his culture and Damien, playing a large role in the resurgence of the NSW Blues over the last two years.
In the front line, my younger (bigger) brother Thomas, accompanied by Liam Knight, Junior Tatola and the most handsome man in the NRL, Cameron Murray.
Adam will lead the club in his own way.
From the conversations I’ve had with him, I understand he will lean on those around him but also grab the rabbit by the ears.
He has learned from many before him. Going back to Roy Asotasi, Michael Crocker, Glenn Stewart, just to name a few.
More recently and possibly over a longer period, the one and only Greg Inglis, Mr South Sydney himself John Sutton, and me, that Pommy bloke.
But this is Adam’s time, Adam’s time to carve his name deep into the history books of South Sydney.
Over the last two seasons the club has fallen at the last hurdle.
We sat together over a beer after last year’s loss to Canberra and I could feel his pain, along with his other two little mates.
That’s what prompted the question.
What’s changed?
In short, Adam now has the team to himself.
Representing more than just a club, he represents the people, his family and an entire culture.
Not bad for a little lad from Morehead St who grew up dreaming of the famous Cardinal and Myrtle.
In May, Sam Burgess is cycling from Niagara Falls to Manhattan to raise funds for Rugby League Cares and former teammate Rob Burrow, who has Motor Neurone Disease.To donate: click here.