As speculation continues around whether Nathan Cleary will be fit for Origin III, the attention is turning to who could replace him.
Isaiya Katoa is the name that’s been branded around the most, along with Luke Metcalf. While a combination between Jarome Luai and Matt Burton has also been mooted.
However, Phil Gould believes the next in line lives north of the border: Adam Reynolds.
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Adam Reynolds playing for NSW in 2016. Getty
Reynolds hasn’t played for the Blues since his two appearances in 2016 but Gould believes his NRL experience puts him ahead of the pack.
“Honestly, if it were me, and Cleary was out, and you might laugh at this but I wouldn’t, I’d be picking Adam Reynolds,” he said on Nine’s 100% Footy.
“I wouldn’t even hestitate, I wouldn’t even blink.
“I know exactly what I’m going to get. You’re going to get game management, kicking game, goalkicking, whatever you want. He’s the one that should be doing the job.
“Trust me, that’s just a little bit of free advice. That’s nothing against Jarome and Matt Burton but that’s not their role, not for an Origin III decider. Bring the kid back.”
Cleary battled a groin issue for the Blues in Origin II and didn’t goalkick throughout the match. He also didn’t do much of the general kicking until the second half.
Mitchell Moses also went down with a calf injury in training, ruling him out for Origin II.
