As he prepares for his second and final game in England, Adam Reynolds has revealed how it could have been dozens, while the Broncos captain also considered retiring after last year’s grand final triumph.
Reynolds will oppose close friend and mentor Willie Peters' Super League premiership winning Hull KR team in Thursday’s sold-out World Club Challenge at Hull’s MKM Stadium.
The 35-year-old halfback has a perfect record in the fixture, having helped South Sydney to victory against St Helens in 2015.
“Obviously winning the grand final and having that high, there was a bit of talk about doing it there and then on the spot,” Reynolds told NRL.com in reference to last year’s 26-22 win over Melbourne and his retirement announcement which came earlier this month.
“(Well), not right on the spot but I certainly questioned whether it was worth going around again.
It dwelled on the mind for an amount of time.
"Look, I love the challenge of competing with my team-mates daily but the body’s not getting any younger. We’ve got a fair squad here. We’ve got some good players coming here and if I was to go around again, it would probably have to be at another club and at this stage of my career I don’t think it’s worth it.
“So I just thought I’d get it out of the way before the season starts. I don’t want it to be a distraction. I just wanted it to be over and done with so I can get on with life. (Before that) it’s another opportunity for me to have a bit of fun, create some memories with this lot.”
The prestige of the World Club Challenge
It could have been very different though - and instead of having one year to run at Red Hill, Reynolds could be playing for the opposition with two or more seasons ahead of him in East Hull.
“There were rumours about coming over here,” the double premiership winner said.
Look, I’ve got a good relationship with Willie Peters and if I was going to come over to a club it would have been KR.
“It was last year or the year before, obviously trying to see if I wanted to extend my career and play a few more years but luckily enough Brisbane gave me an opportunity to go around again and I’m glad I get to do it.
“It’s pretty hard when you’ve got a young family and quite a big family a number of kids there. If I was to come over here it would probably be on my own and it’s not ideal.”
One more week of an English winter it is, then, and afterwards a lifetime of the mild Australian Eastern Seaboard equivalent.
Reynolds: “It was good to mix it with the boys over here”
Reynolds says of his sometimes temperamental rival on Thursday, Mikey Lewis: “Mikey’s coming off a fair
season himself. He’s a big game player. He lives for these moments and I’m excited about going up against him.
"He’s certainly got a big future in the game. He’s already had a great career. You never know, we might see him in the NRL.”
While Reynolds is reserved and composed, and Lewis - 11-years younger - has a temperament that could scarcely contrast more, they share a mentor. Willie Peters.
“I spoke to him prior to coming,” Reynolds says of his fellow former Rabbitohs No.7. “It will be good to catch up with him and a few of the other boys. I know a couple of the boys there.
"They’re a wonderful team coached by a great coach. He’s got a big future, Will, and no doubt we’ll share a hug and a chat over hopefully something warm.
“I'm genuinely excited to see him. He’s a big reason why I am where I am. I had a bit to do with him as a young fella. I probably owe him more than he thinks.”
