Reynolds played three seasons under Bennett at South Sydney and will go up against his old coach on Friday, March 24 when the Dolphins host the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

It is the most eagerly-anticipated regular season club game in the Queensland capital since a Bennett-coached Brisbane played Manly in 1988 and the Dolphins have promoted it as the Battle for Brisbane.

The Broncos launched a jersey on Monday they will wear against the Dolphins which they have called the ‘City jersey’. It includes a map of iconic Brisbane landmarks such as the Story Bridge, Brisbane River and the city skyline.

The overt and covert message sent by the jersey is clear: the Broncos own Brisbane and NRL newcomers the Dolphins are the interlopers.

“It is exciting. Any time there is a rivalry in sport it is good for the sport,” Reynolds said of the looming showdown.

“The Dolphins have started the year pretty well, obviously winning both games, and have some good form.

“Any time there is a team coached by Wayne Bennett you know they are going to be tough to beat. We will show a lot of respect for them.”

The Broncos, who host St George Illawarra on Saturday night, have also started the season with two wins.

Bennett and Reynolds forged a close bond at the Rabbitohs. The coach knows all the veteran half’s tricks, and Reynolds also understands his old coach’s modus operandi.

“(Bennett) is not out there playing but I know the philosophies that he will come to the game with,” Reynolds said.

“They have been showing it the first two rounds. It is nothing new. Obviously they are out there playing for their coach and doing a great job of it.

“We know each other pretty well but I am at a new team and he is at a new club.

“I sent him a text the other day but he brushed me. No, he wrote back. I just wished him well for his first game.

“I have a good relationship with Wayne and a lot of respect for him. It is good to see him back in the game and back coaching and doing what he loves doing.”

Reynolds will be on Bennett’s tip sheets and the Broncos skipper conceded his former mentor knew plenty about his playbook.

“Yeah he does. That is the fun of rugby league,” Reynolds grinned.

“I enjoy those little clashes. I have been playing rugby league for a long time now and there is a lot of inside knowledge from coaches and game plans week-to-week.

“It is obviously interesting, but we have a few tricks up our sleeve as well.”