Monday Buzz: Adam Reynolds injury a kick in the teeth for NSW Blues
ADAM Reynolds was testing Laurie Daley’s loyalty to his NSW team, the Sharks’ attack issue and Warriors woes — PHIL ROTHFIELD reviews NRL Round 1.
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RUGBY league can be a cruel game.
Just as Adam Reynolds was testing Laurie Daley’s loyalty to his NSW State of Origin team, he suffered a suspected broken jaw. The timing was terrible.
Ten days ago at the NRL season launch, your columnist asked the Blues coach who would be in the halves with Mitchell Pearce then facing, and now under, a lengthy suspension.
Without hesitation, Daley nominated Trent Hodkinson, his steady and reliable playmaker from the past two NSW campaigns, as favourite to wear the Blues’ No. 7 jersey.
Surely that was about to change after Reynolds’ magnificent performance for his Rabbitohs against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
You obviously don’t pick Origin teams on form from the opening round.
But Reynolds could not have been more impressive in what was by far the most dominant performance of any of the halfbacks in the opening round before he left the field in agony.
Even Gus Gould said during the Channel 9 call: “If he can repeat this (his kicking game) in Origin, it would be a huge weapon for the Blues.”
Reynolds is now 25 years of age. He’s played almost 100 first-grade games in five seasons. He is no longer a gamble selection. No NSW halfback has a kicking game anywhere near as skilful as his.
Ask the Roosters, who were continually tormented by the pinpoint accuracy and deft delivery.
South Sydney and NSW fans will be desperately hoping it is not a severe break.
This player is ready for Origin.
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NO LOGIC, ANDREW
WARRIORS coach Andrew McFadden must have a death wish.
Why else would you pick Blake Ayshford in the centres over the game’s most blockbusting outside back, Konrad Hurrell, for round one of the competition?
Ayshford played solidly, as he always does. Nine runs, 95m, but there were four missed tackles against Wests Tigers.
At the same time, Hurrell was running around in NSW Cup on Saturday afternoon against Illawarra at WIN Stadium. What a waste of a sensational talent.
If for any reason he wasn’t ready to play in round one, that’s the coaching staff’s responsibility as much as that of the player.
The Warriors had everything going for them on Saturday against a Tigers side without halfback Luke Brooks and hooker Robbie Farah.
Sure, they played well in the second-half comeback in what turned out to be the most exciting game of the weekend.
McFadden knows he has only six weeks to save his coaching career. He has to win at least three of the next five games and the Warriors play the Broncos and Storm in the next fortnight.
Surely, Hurrell has to be in the side.
VALENTINE IGNORED
CRONULLA Sharks need to find ways to get more possession to winger Valentine Holmes.
Not once in Saturday night’s game against North Queensland did Holmes get the ball in the Cowboys’ half.
It was almost the same on the left side, where Sosaia Feki got the ball only once in Cowboys territory when he almost scored in the corner.
The starvation of the wingers is revealed in the Fox Sports Stats heat maps.
Holmes had 16 runs but they were mostly hit-ups in the middle of the field to help the forwards.
Feki had nine runs, and he too made eight of them as hit-ups from his own half.
The Sharks could easily have won the game: it was 14-all with 15 minutes to go.
The tactics were obvious to attack the premiers down the middle and the ball rarely got past the edge back-rowers.
Hopefully, they’ll play a more expansive game against the Dragons this week.
CRONK STAYING PUT
COOPER Cronk has given his strongest indication he will play out his career at Melbourne Storm.
Despite recent talk he will move to Sydney to be with his partner, Fox Sports star Tara Rushton, the halfback told Melbourne radio station 3AW over the weekend he was more likely to stay.
Craig Bellamy’s decision to sign a new two-year contract could be the deciding factor.
“Without Craig’s influence I wouldn’t have achieved playing at the level I have,” Cronk said.
“He brings a lot of passion and care for his football players. The relationship between Craig and myself runs deep. There’s an emotional connection there.
“I love this footy club and I’ve loved my time here. Hopefully, that will stay the same.
“I’m sure that there will be an announcement in the near future.”
HARD TO STOMACH
IT was a tough Friday night at Brookie for a couple of old Manly legends.
Ken Arthurson travelled from the Gold Coast to watch the rubbish they dished up.
And old Pommy legend Phil Lowe changed his ticket and delayed a flight home to the UK to go to the game.
WHAT WE LEARNED FROM NRL ROUND 1
* The bunker is the best NRL innovation in 20 years.
* Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans is not worth $10 million.
* Dylan Walker is a strike outside back, not a five-eighth.
* Tigers captain Aaron Woods made 196 metres in 70 metres.
* Nathan Peats made 62 tackles against Broncos in his comeback game.
* Ben Hunt missed seven tackles against the Eels.
* Canberra’s Aidan Sezer put in very early claim for NRL’s best signing.
* Josh McGuire made 174 metres in just 54 minutes.
* Parramatta’s Manu Ma’u has got the best offload in the NRL.
* Canterbury’s James Graham made 185 metres in 70 minutes
* The Raiders have found the mental strength to win tight games.
* The Cowboys won’t have a premiership hangover.
* Mitchell Moses is a great player when he is not shackled.
* Jeff Robson should not be playing halfback for the Warriors.
* The Roosters miss enforcer Jared Waerea Hargreaves more than anyone else.
* Luke Keary faces a battle to get his jersey back from Cody Walker
* Sam Burgess has lost nothing from his stint in rugby union.
* Rookie Roosters halves Jackson Hastings and Jayden Nikorima have a lot to learn.
* Souths won’t miss Issac Luke.
Originally published as Monday Buzz: Adam Reynolds injury a kick in the teeth for NSW Blues
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