It has been a big couple of years for the Kurow captain, leading his beloved Red Devils to their first Citizens Shield in 39 years and backing up this year.
His breakthrough season last year led to an initial call-up for Heartland honours, but with Covid-19 pushing the season back, Reid was "gutted" to withdraw due to work commitments on his family’s Waitaki Valley farm.
This season, however, has been a different story, as Reid has claimed the Old Golds openside flanker jersey as his own.
The workhorse has been into everything in the first three rounds.
He leads by example, and his quick transition to get over the ball and secure the turnover at the breakdown has been second to none.
It has been a step up to play at a representative level, but the physicality in North Otago club rugby, and the speed and structure from his time with his former club, Taieri, in Dunedin, gave him a good background.
He was relishing the opportunity to pull on the gold jersey, playing alongside a "good group of guys", filled with X factor, and had every faith in the team to go the whole way.
"I think if everyone can probably buy in and if everyone realises we’ve got the team to win, I think we can get the job done," Reid said.
He is in good company, too, with a handful of Kurow players putting their hands up for the Heartland side.
"I think sort of in Kurow we’ve built a culture that if you work for the man next to you, he’s going to do the same for you.
"Hopefully in the years to come Kurow can keep getting names in there."
Reid is gearing up for his biggest and most personal test yet, when the Old Golds play their first game in his hometown today.
North Otago rugby has elected to take its round four clash against Mid Canterbury up the valley — and with the entry fee being waived, a large crowd is tipped for the domain.
"As a young kid I used to go to North Otago games with my parents, and others, and to be able to play for North Otago in Kurow is pretty special for myself," he said.
Kurow is packed with die-hard rugby fans, the town was "buzzing" to host the match, and Reid heaped praise on North Otago, and other Heartland unions, for taking games to the country.
"What Heartland’s doing at the moment, getting games into small towns is huge because that’s sort of your backbone of the Heartland rugby.
"It’s great. You couldn’t probably pick a smaller town in New Zealand to do it that’s probably more fizzed up for it."
North Otago is coming off a tough 36-17 loss to defending Meads Cup champion South Canterbury. Reid, who will start at flanker, knew the side needed to be better and muscle up in the forward pack.
"We’ve got the talent in the backline. If we can match them up front, be dominant, get our set pieces right, win the breakdown, we can come away with the goods."
Old Golds coach Jason Forrest has made a swag of changes.
Taieri centre Mitchell Scott is the latest import player to get a chance, while Josh Phipps starts on the wing and Josh Robertson-Weepu replaces Jake Matthews at first five.
With locks Manulua Taiti and Josh Clark injured, Brodie Hume (Taieri) and Angus Foster (Kurow) get the nod, and Sione Palaa replaces Rohan Wingham at tighthead prop.
Young second rower Lachie Mee has a chance to make his Heartland debut off the bench.
Heartland Championship
Kurow, today, 2pm
North Otago: Levi Emery, Josh Phipps, Mitch Scott, Hayden Todd, Mone Samate, Josh Robertson-Weepu, Mataitini Feke, Junior Fakatoufifita, Josh Reid, Seta Koroitamana, Brodie Hume, Angus Foster, Kelepi Funaki, Hayden Tisdall, Sione Palaa. Reserves: Sam Sturgess, Lisivani Tuifua, Lachie Mee, Ratu Logavatu, Leonard Varu, Jake Matthews, Saluni Palaa, Inoke Naufahu.
Mid Canterbury: Tom Middleton, Tait Chisman, Waitangi Tuisuga, Isireli Masiwini, Raitube Vasurakuta, Tom Reekie, Tyler Blackburn, Michael Hennings, Kaydis Hona, Lecanus Tauvake Manu, Logan Bonnington, Manasa Samo, Adam Williamson, Mason Briant, Stewart Hunter. Reserves: Ben Bartlett, Ben Crawford, Osea Baisagale, Shepherd Mhembere, Henry McManus, Angus MacKenzie, Xavier Bartlett, George Hufanga.
