Hodkinson wary of Rabbitohs NRL halves

Canterbury Bulldogs halfback Trent Hodkinson rates South Sydney’s blossoming halves combination of Adam Reynolds and Luke Kear as outstanding and dangerous and won’t be surprised if Sunday’s NRL grand final goes beyond 80 minutes.

Injury prevented 22-year old five-eighth Kear from making his season debut until round 17, but he has quickly formed a smart partnership with the more experienced Reynolds.

The playmaking skills of Kear, who has played just 21 first grade games, complements the astute kicking game of halfback Reynolds.

“They are outstanding, they have formed a great partnership, Luke Kear and Adam Reynolds,” Hodkinson told AAP.

“They have been playing some good footy, especially finals time. They are really dangerous.

“We’ll have to do our homework on them.

“Obviously Adam has got a very good kicking game and Luke is a good ball runner, so we’re going to have to be aware of that on Sunday.”

Souths will need to be equally aware of Hodkinson and his halves partner, Josh Reynolds.

The Bulldogs pair have accumulated big match experience in this year’s State of Origin series.

“Obviously (playing) State of Origin this year will definitely help,” Hodkinson said.

“It’s the pinnace of rugby league and being involved in that was awesome.

“To go out there in a grand final and hopefully take that experience out of State of Origin will be nice, but in saying that, anything can happen.

“You’ve got to turn up on the day and you’ve got to be playing some good footy.”

Hodkinson declared himself a certain starter for Sunday, though he said he might miss some sessions during the week due to a knee issue.

“By the end of the week I’ll be back out there with the boys, but this time of year it’s all about resting the little niggling injuries and getting them right,” Hodkinson said.

The Bulldogs and Souths shared the spoils in two close regular season encounters, with Hodkinson tipping another thriller on Sunday.

He kicked a match clinching field goal in the Bulldogs’ 15-14 victory in their first encounter and the Rabbitohs prevailed 21-14 in the second.

“Both games have gone right down to the wire, it’s going to be a tough game up the middle, very physical,” Hodkinson said.

“They play some good footy out on the edges, with Greg Inglis at the back very dangerous.

“It’s going to be a very tight close contest and that’s what finals footy is all about.

“I’m sure it will go right down to the 80th minute, if not further.”

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!