Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds has staked his claim to return to the NSW Origin side with a game-winning field goal in South Sydney's 21-20 win over Penrith on Friday.
Reynolds showed why he is one of the game's best in the clutch, slotting over a 19-metre effort in the final minute to fire the Rabbitohs into the top eight.
In a week where fellow halfback candidate Mitchell Pearce's field goal troubles went under the spotlight, Reynolds' effort is sure to have caught the eye of Blues coach Laurie Daley.
Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire said he was delighted with Reynolds' ability to step up when the game is on the line, particularly with his kicking.
"I was very pleased with Adam's finish there. He's done a lot of work around that area to make sure that when those times come, he comes up with the right play," he said.
Reynolds humbly credited halves partner Cody Walker, who scored a try and set up Reynolds for another in the second half, for his role in the match-winning play.
Walker provided the speedy play-the-ball for Reynolds to steal the win.
"He found space, took it, made the right decision holding the ball, got up and played it really quick to give me a chance to take the shot. Credit goes to Cody," Reynolds said.
"It all comes back to practice, that's what we practise so hard at training for. If you don't practise, 90 per cent of the time it doesn't come off."
While Pearce hasn't kicked a field goal since 2011, Reynolds has nailed at least one every season since his debut in six years ago.
He kicked three in the Rabbitohs' premiership-winning season in 2014.
"I don't think (my percentage is) too good at the moment. I've kicked a few, but there's been a few that's gone wayward. It's something we continually practice at training," he said.
"We're just trying to build momentum through our club. It's a continual work in progress for us. We're working hard as a spine and as a unit to gradually get better."
South Sydney next face Canterbury in the traditional Good Friday fixture.
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