Powerhouse Blue prop Payne Haas has thrown his support behind his Brisbane Broncos captain Adam Reynolds to get another chance in the Origin arena.
New South Wales will name their squad for Game Two on Tuesday, with Reynolds one of the contenders to replace the injured Nathan Cleary in the halves for the must-win game at Suncorp Stadium on June 21.
“I think I’m probably biased because I’m his teammate, but I feel like he’s ready and he’s been one of the form halfbacks this year and in the last few years,” Haas told media following Brisbane’s close Round 15 win against the Knights where Reynolds scored the match-winning try.
“So, I’m hoping he gets picked and I reckon he should, but we’ll wait and see I guess.”
Reynolds last played for the Blues in 2016 where he played in Game One and Game Two in a losing series alongside James Maloney, but since that time said he had developed as a player and would be ready to go if presented with another opportunity.
“Obviously, I know the game a lot better now, I’m a lot more confident in my own game, I know what I do well, I know what I don’t do well, I know my strengths and I know my weaknesses,” Reynolds said.
“It’s out of my control, I’ve got no bearing on what happens from here on out.
“If I get selected great, I don’t get selected, I’ll still be cheering on the Blues.
“I can’t do anything else, I’ve played my game, (but) probably wasn’t at my best tonight.
“It’s all irrelevant what I say, it’s up to Freddy (NSW coach Brad Fittler) and the coaching staff now if they want to go my way.
“I am more than happy to put my hand up and do my best next Wednesday night, but if I don’t get the nod, I’ll still be cheering on New South Wales.
“Hopefully they can get the job done.”
While Reynolds and Haas regularly receive cheers as Brisbane’s best performers when playing at Suncorp Stadium, Haas knew it would be a different story from the crowd for Origin II and said he was looking forward to the challenge ahead to defy history and claim a series win.
“Obviously we know Suncorp and how hard it is to win (Origin), but it’s a good challenge for us,” Haas – who played 70 minutes for the Broncos in the win, with 199 run metres, eight tackle breaks and 44 tackles made – said.
“Queensland is pretty red-hot at the moment, so I can’t wait to take on that challenge and hopefully get picked and go into camp and work hard and improve on Game One.
“I think there was enough evidence in Game One that we can get the job done and obviously, we lost the little moments in the last 10 minutes.
“It’s a big game coming up and I want to tie it up and I want to win the series.”