Dogs lose playmaker Reynolds for month

CANTERBURY’S NRL title aspirations have copped a blow with star Josh Reynolds ruled out for five weeks with a hamstring injury.

Reynolds suffered the tear in the first half of the Bulldogs’ Round 9 win over Canberra and failed to return to the field.

His absence is a big hit for coach Des Hasler, whose side sit in the top eight after winning four of their past five matches.

Reynolds played a significant part in the run, having tallied three tries, 18 tackle breaks and 10 offloads this season.

Utility Matt Frawley is likely to move into the halves to partner Moses Mbye, who had previously been moved to hooker as part of the Hasler’s halves rotation.

The Bulldogs take on ninthplaced North Queensland at ANZ Stadium on Thursday.

In a boost for the Cowboys, it is understood fullback Lachlan Coote trained well yesterday and could be named for the clash with the Bulldogs depending on how he feels today.

JASON Taylor will get the chance to plot the downfall of his former club Wests Tigers next month after being named assistant coach of the Sydney Roosters.

Taylor’s return to the Tricolours was confirmed yesterday and sets up a mouthwatering Round 14 clash between the Roosters and Ivan Cleary’s Tigers at Campbelltown on June 11.

His appointment comes after Taylor was sacked by the Tigers in March and he is expected to be in the Roosters’ coaches box for the match against Parramatta at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

The announcement means Taylor is set to reunite with Tigers fullback James Tedesco who signed a four-year deal at the foundation club from next season.

Taylor, who replaces the St Helens-bound Justin Holbrook, was Trent Robinson’s assistant at the Roosters for two seasons with the pair steering the club to the 2013 premiership.