They may not be as young as other halves pairings in the competition, but Michael Maguire has no doubts in the abilities of Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt.
With a combined 621 appearances in the NRL and a combined age of 68, Hunt and Reynolds will be the oldest halves pairing to be fielded since Des Hasler and Cliff Lyons in 1996.
The duo are set to spend the first couple of months engineering plays for the Broncos as Ezra Mam serves a nine-game ban.
READ MORE: ‘Disgusting’: Wife takes aim at NRL’s relocation decision
READ MORE: Aussies knocked out of Trophy hunt amid India controversy
READ MORE: Vegas hero’s contract admission will have rivals circling
Despite having just over a month to learn how to work together due to Reynolds’ injury rehabilitation, their strong chemistry has left Maguire impressed.
“They’ve been really good,” Maguire told Nine’s Today.
Adam Reynolds passes the ball during the 2025 NRL Pre-Season Challenge against the Bulldogs. Bradley Kanaris via Getty Images
“Obviously, Reynolds was out for a little while throughout the pre-season. Their combination wasn’t really (formed) until the last month when he came back… but their experience showed straight away.
“They jumped in and you just see them pushing the team around.
“The more time they spend together the better they are going to get.”
Hunt previously served as captain of the Dragons for four seasons and will now join Reynolds as part of the senior leadership team for the Broncos.
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Maguire said Hunt’s unity with Reynolds in a leadership position will be of great benefit for his team as it will be “like having two coaches out on the field.”
“With the experience that they’ve got… they can lead the way in a lot of what we are doing which has been really pleasing,” he said.
NRL Broncos players Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds. Dion Georgopoulos
Maguire echoed Reynolds’ comments to “put a lid on” all the pre-season hype around the team.
“I’ve had a lot of fun coaching the boys, I’ve got to say,” the former NSW coach said.
“They’ve put the work in but so has everyone (else). That is what a pre-season is about.
“You’ve got to make sure that you prepare for what’s ahead and now we’ve got the marathon that’s about to start.
“I feel the players have gelled together and the connections between them are strong.
“We are looking forward to now going out and applying that.”
The Broncos will kick off their season on Thursday when they face the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
