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South Sydney’s Adam Reynolds kicks first two point field goal since 1970

As the NRL brought in new rules during the off-season, one of the more eyebrow raising moves has finally been used in a slice of history.

Andrew McMurtryAndrew McMurtry
@AndrewMcMurtry
2 min read
April 9, 2021 - 8:19AM
Adam Reynolds has made history.
Adam Reynolds has made history.

South Sydney’s Adam Reynolds has become the first player since the 1970 Grand Final to kick a two-point field goal, launching a 40m strike just before halftime against the Broncos.

The Rabbitohs ended up running away with a 35-6 win in the round five clash but it was just before the break that Reynolds doubled up with the two-point dagger.

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One of the more intriguing rule changes in the off-season, the NRL made field goals worth two points when taken from beyond the 40m line.

Many believed it would be a seldom seen or used rule but it’s taken just five rounds for it to find it way into the game, and Reynolds was the man to do it.

Having been in a contact saga with the Rabbitohs that has long been drawn out, Reynolds scored a try and then kicked the field goal in a strrong first half.

It’s not the first time a two-point field goal has been kicked however with the rules changed after the 1970 Grand Final between Souths and Manly.

Souths won 23-12 with Rabbitohs legend Eric Simms kicking four field goals in the game, while Bob Fulton had two more for the Sea Eagles.

Before the 1971 season, the rule was changed and the field goal became worth one point rather than two.

It was largely put down to Simms proficiency at the shot as field goal sharpshooter.

In the off-season, the rule was changed again with the commentators saying it was “poetic” that a Rabbitoh should be the first to kick the reinstated two point field goal.

All season the commentators have been discussing the right tactic for the two-point play would be just before halftime.

It seems like Reynolds has finally listened.

Souths were on song.
Souths were on song.
As sweet as you like.
As sweet as you like.

Leading 16-6 with seconds running down, Reynolds slotted the kick and was swamped by his teammates with the commentators going wild.

“Just like Eric Simms, just like the man who changed the rule from two to one, it is almost poetic that Reynolds in the red and green would be the first to kick the two point field goal,” Andrew Voss screamed.

Cooper Cronk added: “And he thought about it the whole time. He nailed it. He’ll go down in history as the first man to kick a two point field goal in the new rule.”

Post-game, Reynolds said the side had been practising the shot.

“It was good, I said to Cooky, ‘No matter where we are just give me the ball’,” Reynolds said.

“It’s stuff we’ve been working on at training. It’s a little tactic we use and I’m glad we nailed it.”

Social media was quick to react to the moment.

It saw the Rabbitohs take an 18-6 lead at the halftime break with Souths dominating proceedings with tries to Reynolds, Alex Johnston and Benji Marshall.

The Broncos did have some hope when Jamayne Isaako scored midway through the half but the Rabbitohs were quick to regain control.

And the second half continued to be all Rabbitohs as Souths scored another three through a double for Latrell Mitchell and one for Campbell Graham.

Mitchell finished the game off with a field goal to make it 35-6.

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/south-sydneys-adam-reynolds-kicks-first-two-point-field-goal-since-1970/news-story/16b218559a8ff0c16820742615d1495d