NRL season 2015: Rabbitohs re-sign Luke Keary and Adam Reynolds
- by: Phil Rothfield Sports Editor-At-Large
- From: The Daily Telegraph
- January 27, 2015 5:12PM
IN a rare show of loyalty in a dollar-dominated NRL player market, South Sydney’s Adam Reynolds and Luke Keary have rejected big money offers from rival clubs to stick by the Rabbitohs.
The premiership-winning halves pairing yesterday agreed to terms to stay in Redfern, Reynolds until the end of 2017 and Keary until the end of 2016.
Reynolds’ decision to knock back huge offers from Cronulla and St George Illawarra is especially a massive boost for the Rabbitohs on the eve of the premiership.
Manly had also earmarked the halfback as a possible replacement for Daly Cherry Evans or Kieran Foran should either of them decide to leave Brookvale.
The 24-year-old has already amassed 647 points from 79 NRL games since bursting into first grade out of the local junior ranks in 2012.
He now has the best goal-kicking percentages in the history of the game.
Keary was also in high demand but chose to remain with his beloved Rabbitohs for another year at least.
Coach Michael Maguire was both thrilled and relieved to have secured the services of his star halves.
“Adam and Luke have grown together as players in our halves and have become an integral part of our team over the past two seasons that they have been playing together,” Maguire said.
“It’s exciting for us and our Members to see two of the brightest young halves prospects commit to the club and show that they see their future in the red and green, so I couldn’t be happier about these agreements.
“They can now concentrate on preparing themselves for the season ahead which promises to be an exciting one for everyone in the Rabbitohs family.”
Reynolds’ signing should also put an end to rumours of internal unrest over the sacking of grand final winning skipper John Sutton as captain.
Sutton’s name had been linked to the Wests Tigers in recent days.
With his future secured until the end of 2017, Reynolds is now being spoken about as a potential candidate for the NSW State of Origin team this year.
He will be up against the incumbent half-back Trent Hodkinson and the Roosters’ Mitch Pearce in a fierce battle for the Blues No 7 jersey.
Reynolds has twice played for City Origin and once for the NRL All-Stars.
NSW coach Laurie Daley yesterday confirmed Reynolds would be right in the mix for Origin.
“It’s great for our side that we’ve now got so much depth at half-back and in a lot of other positions,” Daley said.
“Adam Reynolds will have grown in confidence from the grand final win.
“He’s now played nearly 80 NRL matches and with that experience has learnt how to control a game like all good half-backs.
“He’ll become a fully mature player this season who can handle any level of the game.
“I’m sure he’ll do well in Origin if he gets the chance.”
Souths coach Michael Maguire has always spoken highly about Reynolds as an Origin player.
He says he could also play off the bench as a back-up dummy-half if required.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...nd-adam-reynolds/story-fni3gki8-1227198595840
