The man who brought Adam Reynolds to Brisbane, Kevin Walters, has launched an impassioned defence of the veteran Broncos playmaker as the 35-year-old closes in on a return from a hamstring injury.
As debate continues to swirl about whether Reynolds should be selected at seven during the NRL finals series when fit, Walters had zero hesitation.
“When Adam Reynolds is right he has to come back into that side, he’s their captain,” Walters declared bluntly on the Inside Ball podcast.
The former Broncos head coach then made it clear it didn’t matter how well Brisbane’s current halves pairing of Ben Hunt and his son Billy Walters were performing.
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“You bring Adam Reynolds back into the side (when he’s fit), Ben Hunt to nine, it makes them even stronger,” Walters said.
“Brisbane are a better side with Adam Reynolds at halfback.”
Shibasaki to return for Raiders?
On the subject of finals returns, Walters also shared his thoughts on another absent Bronco, Gehamat Shibasaki, who missed the Round 27 victory over the Melbourne Storm for disciplinary reasons.
“He made a mistake, he paid the price and that would have hurt watching such a big game,” Walters said, expecting the centre’s name to be back on the Brisbane team sheet on Tuesday afternoon despite a strong performance by replacement Deine Mariner against the Storm.
“I believe he’s earned the right to come back into the side.”
Riding a four-game winning streak, the in-form Broncos tackle the Raiders on Sunday afternoon at GIO Stadium in week one of the NRL finals, with the winner securing a prized home preliminary final.