Hull need Reynolds to play bigger role in 2022
It’s probably fair to say Josh Reynolds’ first season in East Yorkshire didn’t go to plan. The half-back was Brett Hodgson’s first and only recruit for the 2021 Super League season and while he showed glimpses of his talents, he struggled to build up a rhythm in Hull FC colours.
There were mitigating circumstances of course, such as Covid and injuries, and his season was brought to a premature end as he was forced to go under the knife to resolve a knee issue.
However, Reynolds will expect more from himself in his second year with the Black and Whites and as he recovers from surgery back home in Australia, he’ll know FC fans haven’t seen his best rugby yet.
In what is the final year of his contract at the MKM Stadium, he simply has to make more of an impact on the field.
There was a buzz amongst Hull fans when the signing of the former Canterbury Bulldogs star was announced in December and his first two performances justified why there was so much excitement.
The Australian ran the show against Huddersfield Giants, touching down for a try, leading the defensive intensity and getting stuck in to become an instant fans’ favourite.
He grabbed another two tries the following week against Salford Red Devils, punishing Richard
Marshall’s side at the Totally Wicked Stadium with another scintillating display.
It was so far, so good for Reynolds who had wasted no time in showing off his talent and charisma in the Super League.
However, in the second half of that contest against Salford, Reynolds limped off with a hamstring injury and he struggled to hit those heights again upon his return.
He had a run of games through May and June and appeared to be rediscovering a his form once more, particularly in the win over Leigh Centurions, but he tested positive for Covid just a couple of weeks later and once more his season ground to a halt.
From there he made four more appearances in his first season with the club before suffering the knee injury that would end his season against Hull KR in a fiery and entertaining derby clash at the MKM.
In was a frustrating end to a tough first year in the Northern Hemisphere.
In the games he did play, Hull were often better for his presence.
The Black and Whites had more about them defensively, with the half-back’s enthusiasm rubbing off on his team-mates and in attacking areas they were more of a threat as he linked up well with Jake Connor and Marc Sneyd on occasions.
His impact on the field was felt more often than not and it was missed when he was on the sidelines.
However, he was still someway short of his best through much of the campaign and that will be a huge cause of frustration for Reynolds as he reflects on his debut campaign in the Super League.
He has been allowed to return home to Sydney over the off-season, meaning he isn’t expected to restart training with FC until after Christmas, but both he and Hodgson will be determined to ensure he can hit the ground running when he is passed fit to play once more.
The head coach has plenty of work to do over pre-season in order to help his side bounce back from their miserable end to the campaign.
But, he’ll know if he can get Reynolds firing on all cylinders on a consistent and weekly basis, he could hold the key to Hull’s hopes of silverware.
Tony Smith is excited about the potential for improvement at both ends of his Hull KR squad. Rovers made the play-offs in 2021 and it took League Leaders’ Shield winners Catalans Dragons to deny them a first trip to Old Trafford.
The Robins finished in the top six despite a lengthy injury list which included Elliot Minchella and Ethan Ryan, two players who missed virtually the entire campaign.
Meanwhile, overseas recruits Albert Vete, Brad Takairangi and Korbin Sims - three big signings going into the campaign failed to find their best form.
Smith expects those players to improve his side next season, along with the younger players in his squad who will be better for the ups and downs of this year.
“Absolutely, in a number of areas,” he told the Mail on the potential for improvement.
“Some of the younger ones and some of our more experienced players who still have yet to shine.
“It doesn’t mean they weren’t trying. But as I’ve mentioned previously, it takes some of our import players a while to acclimatise and adjust, both culturally and in terms of rugby league.
“It’s a big change in their lives and they’ll be better for it for next year.
“Also, the younger players within the squad and team will have learnt loads from this year as well, both in terms of experience and understanding the challenges of Super League on a weekly basis.
“We’ve also got players such as Elliot Minchella. We didn’t have him at our disposal aside from two games. He’ll add a whole lot to us next year.
“Ethan Ryan is another one of those that showed that he’s got the capabilities and that he was not only able to handle it but do really well. Having him available more often next year will help us.
“Even young players like Matty Storton and Luis Johnson and the amount of game time they were able to get throughout the season and that chance to develop.
“Will Dagger by the end of the season got some terrific experience that he hasn’t been able to get for the last two or three years.
“George King is another one. The amount of time he played for us this year in comparison to the previous couple of seasons and as a starting player on a regular basis, he’ll have plenty of improvement in him next year as well.”
The progress made by the young players in 2021 convinced Smith to keep changes to a minimum during the off-season, with six new signings coming in and half a dozen heading the other way.
He is excited about the potential of his side led by experienced players who set the standard.
“We’re hopeful and pretty confident that we’re able to help those younger guys continue to develop as well as getting the best out of our senior players,” he said.
“There’s a lot of good stories there. Kane Linnett, Matty Parcell, Skids (Shaun Kennydowall) - in his second year - they were tremendous for us on a weekly basis.
“They’ll continue to keep up with those sort of performances. I’ve got every bit of faith in them and that they’ll continue to help the others bring out their best form too.
“We’re not making a whole lot of changes for some of those reasons. We want to continue to develop.”