Adam Reynolds knew a Wests Tigers revolution was coming. He almost became a part of it
Adam Reynolds started noticing the good things going on at Wests Tigers about 12 months ago.
That was around the time that former teammate and Tigers coach Benji Marshall made an offer to join the club on a two-year deal worth approximately $1.5 million.
From what Reynolds had learned from playing against the Tigers a few times, he knew that a handful of young players were oozing talent and that they just needed playing time and experience.
Marshall explained to Reynolds why he thought he would be the perfect halves partner for Jarome Luai. It didn’t go unnoticed for him that he had the opportunity to reunite with Api Koroisau, with whom he won the premiership in South Sydney more than a decade ago and whom Reynolds describes as “one of the most underrated players in our game”.
Former Tigers CEO Shane Richardson flew to Brisbane and went to Reynolds’ home to pitch him the idea of finishing his career in Sydney.
Naturally, Reynolds began to follow the Tigers more closely than most other clubs.
However, a deal could not be reached with the joint venture club and the Brisbane captain signed a contract with the Broncos for another season. He captained his team to first place last season and is now looking for another team before hanging up his shoes.
He can’t bring himself to uproot the family again and loves his new life north of the border.
Two years after Reynolds was applauded by Tigers fans in the east stand at Campbelltown when he suffered a cramp, then jumped to his feet to make a saving tackle, there will be no such love for the Broncos and Reynolds in the same venue. There will be standing room only at the top.
The halfback told this imprint that the Tigers could never stay at the bottom of the NRL standings for too long, especially with Marshall in charge.
“It was only a matter of time before Benji got the kids fired,” Reynolds told this imprint.
“Benji saw the game differently than most when he played. He is one of the smartest tactical players I have ever encountered.
“Benji’s team morale was also great and I knew he would get this group going and get them playing good enough football to win games and compete for the title.
“I spoke to Benji a few times last year about joining the club. He thought I was suitable and I thought the same. ‘Richo’ [Shane Richardson] So he flew to my house and came up with this idea.
“They both told me where they thought the club was going. They told me how I could work with Jarome.
“When you play against people you can get a feel for where they are in their careers and where they can go.
“I didn’t know how long it would take for a few of these Tigers kids to develop into good football players, but it was never going to be too far away.”
Reynolds noted that the Tigers are now excellent at supporting each other defensively. As for their attacks, it all starts with the chief architect Koroisau.
“He’s their heartbeat, it all starts with him, he’s crafty, he’s tough and you can tell the boys are playing with him,” Reynolds said.
Koroisau replaced the suspended Isaac Luke in the 2014 grand final victory over the Bulldogs, played finals football with Manly and then won two titles with Penrith before coming to the Tigers.
Koroisau, however, denies that success in the NRL is following him.
“I don’t know about that. I won two wooden spoons myself in my first two years here,” he said this week.
“What I liked about us this year was our composure. We were under pressure, we were 10 points behind in games, but we didn’t panic. We’re not trying to change things. We’re happy to stay in the grind.”
“I also like the overall culture we’ve built. The kids are training really well, they’re getting out there every day, they’re crossing that white line, they’re opening it up and they’re closing it out.” [noise] additionally.
“This needs to be driven by the senior lads, I take my hat off to Alex Twal who has been so important for us. [and] Terrell May and Adam Doueihi. These guys took the reins [leadership] “That’s really helped me and ‘Romy,’ so we’re not trying to do too much.”
Koroisau is even making an impact on the next generation of Tigers, including Latu Fainu, who has never forgotten the important lesson taught by his co-captain, whom he likens to his older brother.
“He always tells us to ‘pay the price,’” Fainu said of Koroisau.
“That means getting the job done; get in the loop at the beginning of the game, do your job, and the points will come later. Whatever you have to do, that’s your job.”
Koroisau is in form that could see him return to the Origin conversation. The Tigers welcome the return of Luai from a knee injury and center Taylan May (shoulder), whose individual matchup with Kotoni Staggs will be one of the highlights.
Marshall said it was difficult to let go of Jock Madden, who did an impressive job in the halves while Luai was out on Thursday.
Samuela Fainu (knee) had a strong training session, Heamasi Makasini moved back to the left wing where he had been training all summer and did his best to emulate All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu by running over Dylan Edwards in trials, and Patrick Herbert, who played his first game in four years last weekend, retained his place in the centres.
Michael Maguire, who was sacked by the Tigers midway through 2022, is back with the Broncos and would love nothing more than his teams being eliminated before kickoff. The last time the Broncos faced outsiders against the Tigers was 48-0 in a Leichhardt Oval horror show in 2020.
But this latest contest reeks of a ‘Madge’ ambush.
The Broncos’ absentee list cannot be ignored. Walsh has a broken cheekbone. Ben Hunt has a knee injury. Hooker Corey Paix is out with a concussion. Pat Carrigan is suspended. Even Reynolds suffered a secondary strain in his adductor a few weeks ago and he’d better get over the pain.
Looks like the good times will continue in Tiger Town. Opposition number 7 always knew they were coming.
