Reynolds happy for Cody and Cook to share his spotlight
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Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds is relishing the opportunity to share the positional kicking role with spine partners Cody Walker and Damien Cook.
Entering his fourth season with Walker as his No.6, Reynolds feels his prayers have been answered with his load being lightened.
"I've been begging Cody for years. It means less of me getting smashed after I kick the ball. I'm happy for him to get smashed after it," Reynolds said.
Incoming coach Wayne Bennett had a hand in shifting the focus off the boot of Reynolds. But the premiership-winning No.7 joked that guilt probably played a part.
"He probably looked in the mirror and realised he's got two legs there so he can kick off one of them," Reynolds said after training on Tuesday.
"With me being out through the pre-season [shoulder surgery], he called the shots more with me not there. It puts a bit more responsibility on him and Cookie. Damien's been doing a lot more kicking too.
"It just gives us another dimension in attack where you can kick off the left with Cody or kick off the right with me, and then Cookie can jump out and do a bit as well."
Walker is fully on board with the changes to spread the Rabbitohs attack more often down the right channel. During the 2018 Telstra Premiership season, South Sydney scored 37 tries down the left side, with 20 scored on the right.
"I'm probably biased – I truly believe Adam has the best kicking game in the comp – but I think this year I want to try and help him out in that area as it's an area for ne to improve," Walker said.
"I've got a role to role to roam where I feel comfortable and also give the boys on the right a chance to have the ball. We were pretty dominant on the left edge last year so it's something we've been working on.
"You'll probably see a different game from us this weekend."
The Roosters are sure to be ready at the SCG on Friday night for the new-look, Bennett-style Rabbitohs.
Already a significant shift has happened with Greg Inglis moving to right centre, from his usual home on the left edge, pitting him against the Roosters' grand final hero and Origin star Latrell Mitchell.
"Latrell is a star and showed what he could do last year against quality centres like Will Chambers. So whoever plays in that position obviously has to be on their game," said Reynolds.
Walker was reluctant to stamp Inglis as South Sydney's new right centre.
"I'm not too sure what they're doing there. Obviously I've played with Greg on the left. Braidon [Burns] has been training on the left and done a bit of work on the right too," he said.
"Greg is a world-class centre and he'll play wherever the team needs him – same with Braidon."
Both Reynolds and Walker spoke on Tuesday after a visit from federal Indigenous Health Ministers Ken Wyatt, who announced a $208,000 boost for the club's 'Souths Cares' community programs in schools.
"This value adds to the life of a child," Wyatt said of player visits.
"To actually stand and talk to one of their rugby league heroes, to listen to their advice, leaves an indelible mark."
