Following the signing of former State of Origin half-back Josh Reynolds for the Black & Whites in 2021, hullfc.com takes a closer look at his career so far…
Key Information
- Position: Half-Back
- Age: 31
- Former Clubs: Canterbury Bulldogs, Wests Tigers
- Representative Appearances: New South Wales, City NSW, Prime Ministers XIII
- Career Apps: 167
- Career Tries: 45
Career So Far
A native of Sydney, Reynolds’ breakthrough onto the Rugby League scene came in the late 2000s when representing St George Dragons and Illawarra Steelers in the Harold Mathews Cup U16s and S.G. Ball U18s competitions, before progressing onto the U20s league, then known as the Toyata Cup.
In the 2008 and 2009 seasons, Reynolds represented the Bulldogs in the competition, before moving onto the New South Wales Cup competition in 2010, where he would be named the player of the year in the league, and prove a pivotal role in the Grand Final victory over Windsor Wolves, bagging a personal points haul of 16, including two tries in the win.
Having been granted his first professional contract by the Bulldogs at first-team level at the start of the 2011 NRL season, he would make his debut in Round 11 against the Raiders, and go on to feature 10 more times that season, including in the final seven games of the year, bagging four tries in the process having featured at both half-back and hooker.
Reynolds quickly became a mainstay in Des Hasler’s side when the 2012 campaign rolled round, forming a formidable half-back partnership with Trent Hodgkinson and making 27 appearances throughout the entire campaign, more than anyone else in the squad.
And it was a memorable first full season for the Aussie, with the Bulldogs winning the Minor Premiership and the 23 year old scoring ten tries along the way, as well as reaching the NRL Grand Final against Melbourne.
It wasn’t to be for the Canterbury side, going down 14-4 to the Storm at the ANZ Stadium, but Reynolds already had big game experience under his belt.
Reynolds again was a regular name in the Bulldogs side throughout the 2013 and 2014 season, with the club once again reaching a Grand Final in the latter season, this time going down 6-30 to South Sydney, but he would be involved once again.
After an impressive three seasons in the NRL, State of Origin recognition came in 2013, coming off the bench to make his New South Wales debut in Game 2 against Queensland. However, his second attempt at Origin would prove more fruitful, with Reynolds teaming up with his Bulldogs half partner Hodgkinson as part of the squad that ended Queensland’s eight year rein in 2014.
Reynolds feature in all three games and was a key cog in the side that reclaimed the trophy for the Blues.
Reynolds also gained representative caps for both the City NSW side, as well as the Prime Minister’s XIII.
Reynolds remains a Bulldog through until the end of the 2017 NRL campaign, having become a true fans favourite at Belomore, departing with a heavy heart to join Wests Tigers for a new challenge in 2018.
However, luck wasn’t on his side in his debut season under Ivan Cleary, picking up both a hamstring and shoulder injury meaning he would only feature five times in his first season.
He featured 17 times across the 2019 and 2020 campaigns, working in partnership at half-back with both Luke Brooks and Benji Marshall – despite not being a regular during time time at the Leichhhardt Oval, he was similarly loved by the Wests fans for his skillset and passionate displayed on the field.
Reynold’s latest challenge will see him head to Betfred Super League in 2021, where he aims to repeat the success of fellow Australian half-backs who have made the move to the UK in recent years, including Jackson Hastings, Blake Austin and Aidan Siezer.
With an electric running game and a high-energy style of play, his skillset will compliment fellow half-back partner Marc Sneyd when the Black & Whites take to the field in 2021.
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