Hull FC’s new signing Josh Reynolds is nervous and excited as he prepares for life in Super League

Signing of intent: Hull FC have brought Wests Tigers stand-off Josh Reynolds to the club. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

The former New South Wales half-back, 31, will join the Black and Whites ahead of the 2021 Super League campaign from NRL club Wests Tigers on an initial two-year deal with an option of a third.

Reynolds told a press conference on Tuesday: “It’s all happened so fast and I am very excited but I’m not going to lie, I’m a bit nervous.

“It’s a massive change for me. But for the footy side of things I’m really excited, to just get out there and play some week in, week out footy.

Big Factor: New Hull FC coach Brett Hodgson, the former Huddersfield and Warrington full-back, was a big influence on Reynolds' decision to sign. Picture: YPN

“I haven’t done that in quite a long time, so it will be good and a fresh start at a new team.”

Reynolds came through the ranks at Canterbury Bulldogs and reached two Grand Finals before moving to Wests, for whom he played only 22 times, in 2017.

He recently described himself as “a dud buy for the Tigers”, and when asked about motivation to try to ensure there will not be a similar assessment at the end of his time with Hull, Reynolds said: “I’m very honest with myself.

“I know exactly what I can do. Whether I do finish there (at Hull) or not there, I just want to really make sure I can sit in a pub in 10 years’ time and say I had a massive crack there.”

Reynolds admitted he “did lose that love (for the game) a bit” during his time at Wests and has “not felt this excited in a long time about footy”.

When asked what he would have done if Hull had not come calling, Reynolds said: “I’m a plumber by trade and I was actually thinking about that kind of stuff.

“I’ve been given a really great opportunity, I’m definitely very grateful for it and I’m not taking it lightly, I really want to take it with both hands.”

The move will see Reynolds working again with Hull’s new head coach Brett Hodgson, who was previously assistant to Michael Maguire at Wests.

Reynolds says Hodgson was a big reason for him deciding to make the move, adding: “To be completely honest, I probably wouldn’t have even given it much thought, coming over, if it wasn’t for him.

“I’m glad we can take this new adventure on together and hopefully make some really great memories out of it.”

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