Five-eighth Josh Reynolds has been at his energetic best over the past month for the Bulldogs and still, was overlooked for the Blues side in the upcoming State of Origin opener.
The passionate playmaker earned a bench spot in Game Two of the 2013 series before featuring in all three games of the victorious 2014 campaign.
Reynolds has said all along that his club form is the only asset he's got in convincing NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley that he is worthy of a representative recall and despite not being included in the team for game one, teammate Michael Lichaa knows Reynolds will continue to do what he has done for the past month.
“He’s obviously disappointed not to make the team, but I think he will just play his natural game and lead us around like he did on the weekend,” Lichaa said. “I would have loved for
him to have been chosen, but it’s good that I get to run out alongside him on the weekend.
Lichaa is a very close friend of Reynolds and whilst he wishes his teammate was chosen to wear the sky blue jumper, the Bulldogs number nine found it hard to fault the decision of the selectors to go with Adam Reynolds and James Maloney.
“He’s playing pretty good footy, but the other two that were selected have been playing good footy as well.
“I’m sure if there’s an injury during the series, he will get a look in.
“All he can do is keep playing the way he is playing and the rewards will come for him.”
The Bulldogs' last-start 32-20 win over the Roosters was one where the club ended a win-loss run they'd been dealing with since round two and the big test will come this weekend in the nation’s capital without David Klemmer, Josh Jackson and potentially Josh Morris.
“It’s a massive game, especially with the boys out in Origin camp.
“Everyone’s got to lift a bit and pick up the workload. It’s going to be a big game, but hopefully we can get a roll on and make it three in a row.”
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