Josh Reynolds to Wests Tigers – Good move?

Josh Reynolds, the productive yet erratic Canterbury half has found a home at the Wests Tigers for the next four seasons. Sources say the deal is close to $4 million dollars, a lot more than his original asking price. Is this a rushed decision by the Wests Tigers with a lot of other quality players still on the market?

Having just moved on a future star in Mitchell Moses, was this the correct replacement? Although Reynolds possessing Origin and Grand Final experience, his often ill-disciplined and unorthodox techniques can either win you a game, or quite simply lose it. There is no doubting his tenacity and work rate, however, the Tigers have chosen Brooks to be the short-term future of the club. Brooks has shown early in his career that he is capable, but was often overshadowed by Moses and Tedesco. Reynolds is very much the same type of players by way of ball playing and play calling, it will be interesting to see how the pair form under Ivan Cleary.

Who is the real winner out of the transaction, with Canterbury finally making way for the arrival of Kieran Foran, a player capable of winning you a Premiership, yet injury and mental issues have plagued his career in recent years. It is a risky investment for both with Des Hasler, a close friend of Foran, experiencing pressure for the first time in his coaching career this year and if he was to receive his marching orders, who is to say Foran will show commitment to the club?

The Wests Tigers must show caution in their upcoming negotiations, there are plenty of players that need to be moved on that simply haven’t matured into consistent first grade players. Reports of a $2.5 million dollar offer to Tuimoala Lolohea, a fringe first grader with the Auckland Warriors must be revisited, there is no direct benefit that he will provide. Having lured Ben Matulino, the Tigers must focus on signing more productive and effective forwards to win the battle in the middle of the park, something they have failed to do for years.