South Sydney Rabbitohs players find a way to win without Adam Reynolds
Date May 31, 2015
Michael Carayannis
Sidelined: South Sydney halfback Adam Reynolds.
Photo: Getty Images
South Sydney players believe they have finally found a way to win without half-back Adam Reynolds as the Rabbitohs celebrated back-to-back wins in Reynolds' absence.
The Rabbitohs have struggled this year with Reynolds sidelined through injury. Before their recent wins they had lost four games while Reynolds watched on because of injuries. Their No.7 is still about a month away from returning because of a broken thumb.
Their back-to-back wins against Parramatta and Gold Coast were the first consecutive games the defending premiers have won since round three.
Back-rower Chris McQueen said the side had struggled in Reynolds' absence.
"We missed him but we needed to adjust to the fact he wasn't there quicker but we didn't do that," McQueen said. "Hopefully he has a long career at South Sydney but there will be times when we will have to play without him because of injury or rep selection. We have to learn to win without him.
"We've spoken that it doesn't matter who is in our team, we have to win. You take a seven out of the side and it does change the dynamic. He has the best kicking game in the whole comp. And we always go up by sixes and fours which makes a big difference."
Luke Keary and John Sutton combined in the halves to help the Rabbitohs come from behind to defeat Gold Coast 22-16 on Saturday. Greg Inglis (concussion) and George Burgess (broken nose) are expected to be fit for the Rabbitohs' next match against the Warriors in Perth on Saturday.
Centre Bryson Goodwin said the forwards had particularly felt the impact of Reynolds' injury.
"We've won the last two without him and maybe we can build on that," Goodwin said. "Once we get Adam back it'll be a major bonus. We train a fair bit with the other guys [in the halves]. His kicking is the main thing we're missing."
South Sydney coach Michael Maguire was unhappy with his side's go-forward in the opening half against the Titans, as they trailed 10-6 at the break. McQueen said Maguire's message was simple.
"He said we're not running onto the ball and we were a little flat," McQueen said. "We were building plenty of pressure and getting repeat sets but we couldn't get across the line because we weren't running hard enough. We fixed that in the second half and we were getting deeper and running harder but we just couldn't hold on to the ball. You get caught up in playing sometimes and you go through the motions."
Meanwhile, Goodwin had a torrid afternoon opposing Gold Coast flyer James Roberts. Roberts scored a try and set up another as he raced on the outside of Goodwin, causing havoc for the Rabbitohs' left edge defence.
"He is the fastest I've ever played against," Goodwin said. "You give him a bit of space and he is gone. If he puts his heads down he will be some sort of player in the future. He was there and the next thing he was gone. He just beat me. I will have to move on from that. He is a classy player. He is lightning quick. I've never see anyone like it."
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...in-without-adam-reynolds-20150531-ghdghc.html