NSW kicking to keep Qld guessing: Reynolds

Adam Reynolds says NSW's kicking game will keep Queensland guessing in Wednesday's State of Origin opener in Sydney.

NSW VB Blues State of Origin debutant player Adam Reynolds

Adam Reynolds says NSW's kicking game will keep Queensland guessing in Origin I. (AAP)

Adam Reynolds intends to keep Queensland guessing on his State of Origin debut.

Reynolds makes his first Blues appearance at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday and coach Laurie Daley is banking on the South Sydney halfback and his fellow NSW playmakers to turn up the heat on Queensland with their kicks.

Reynolds has forced eight line drops outs in six games for the Rabbitohs this season and eight of his nine try assists have come from kicks.

That means Reynolds has the kicking game capable of pinning the Maroons down their own end for extended periods.

And he has a strong support act in his NSW spine with James Maloney, Robbie Farah, Matt Moylan and even Dylan Walker, who could fill-in for Farah at hooker.

Maloney has forced eight line dropouts in 11 games this year, according to statistics provided by Fox Sports Stats, while Farah has secured three in seven games and Walker three in 11 games.

It is an area in which the Blues hold a significant advantage.

By comparison, Maroons five-eighth Johnathan Thurston has forced 12 dropouts in 11 matches. But it is an art his Queensland teammates Cameron Smith (six in 11 games), Cooper Cronk and Michael Morgan (both three in 11 games) are less adept at.

Reynolds knows his goal line kicking will be crucial.

"Pressure is a massive part of today's game and along with organising the team and pushing the guys around the park, the kicking game is so important," Reynolds told AAP.

"Any time you can get a repeat set it is a bonus especial in these big games.

"You don't get many chances down in the opposition's half so if you can get a repeat set it gives you another chance to put points on the board and that will be a focus for me for sure."

Maloney and Farah can also take the pressure off Reynolds in general play kicking, as can Blues fullback Matt Moylan.

"It definitely takes a lot of pressure off myself," Reynolds said.

"Robbie can kick too at hooker and Matt Moylan can as well so there is a lot of options across the field for us.

"It is good to keep them guessing as to who is actually going to kick the ball."


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Source: AAP



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