Adam Reynolds has stated his Origin recall case to New South Wales coach Brad Fittler, with the Broncos halfback emphasising he’s a better player than when he made his Blues debut in 2016.
Reynolds played his only two games for NSW that year, but could return for their must-win Game 2 at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week.
The 32-year-old is in a three-way battle with Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes and Parramatta’s Mitchell Moses to replace injured Blues No. 7 Nathan Cleary.
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Reynolds was superb in his final audition on Saturday night, scoring the winning try, setting up another and making a crucial linebreak — all while kicking the Knights into submission.
Reynolds knew the NSW selectors were watching and will also know he couldn’t have done any more to earn an Origin recall.
“I’ve got no bearing on what happens from here on out. If I get selected, great, if I don’t get selected I’ll still be cheering on the Blues,” Reynolds said.
“I can’t do anything else, I’ve played my game. I probably wasn’t at my best tonight.
“I know the game a lot better now (than in 2016) and am a lot more confident in my own game, I know what I do well, I know what I don’t do well.
“I know my strengths, I know my weaknesses but it’s all irrelevant what I say. Freddy and the coaching staff, if they want to go my way I’m more than happy to do my best but if I don’t get the nod I’ll still be cheering on NSW and hopefully they can get the job done.”
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Reynolds scored the match-winner on Saturday night after collecting an incredible flick pass from his halves partner Ezra Mam.
It only fuelled comparisons that Reynolds and Mam are playing like Kevin Walters and Allan Langer, who combined to win five premierships for the Broncos.
“I don’t think Kevvie or Alfie could have thrown the pass that Ezra threw,” Walter said.
“It was great with those two orchestrating things at the back end there and the flick pass from Ezra was superb and then Adam with his skills to be in support knowing that could happen was equally as important.
“You’ve got to take those moments and one of the reasons we got him here was for that and tonight was a perfect example of why we got him here.”
Mam flick ignites late Broncos triumph | 00:54
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