It was a moment that should have been the highlight of his young career. The epitome of a man’s battles not only on the football field, but in a life full of adversity and obstacles.
However, game one of last year’s state of origin series turned into a nightmare for Nicho Hynes. Coming on late in proceedings with the game on the line, Hynes played 12 minutes out of position at centre, missing a crucial tackle which led to a Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow try – and a big Maroons win.
Hynes has been very open in taking responsibility for his short comings in a debut most players would rather forget. “I don’t blame Freddy (coach Brad Fittler) for it, I blame myself for a lot of it,” the No.6 told Fox Sports in 2023.
“Could there have been a clearer plan? Could I have trained more during the week? Yeah, probably. But I need to make sure I put ownership on it myself to go and be better there.”
Nicho Hynes shovels the ball on during round eight. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
One could forgive Hynes for throwing Fittler under the bus, as the situation placed him in no man’s land. Anyone that has played rugby league at any level knows the difficulties involved with working one’s self into the game, a feat that usually takes significantly longer than 12 minutes, let alone out of position, on debut, up against some of the most potent attacking weapons in the NRL.
Nonetheless, Hynes took it on the chin and strived to improve, and improve he did, forcing his way into Mal Meninga’s Australian Kangaroos squad for two of the Pacific Nations Tests at the end of 2023. His tremendous form has transferred over to the start of the 2024 season, leading the Shark’s to the top of the NRL ladder and playing arguably beyond that of his Dally M season showings.
While the Sharks have not yet taken a major scalp, this Saturday’s clash against the Storm could pencil his name into the Blues 17, if Cronulla are to run riot.
Hynes hasn’t done it the easy way. Bouncing around the lower grades at Manly, and then the Queensland Cup, Nicho finally made his debut with the Melbourne storm during 2019 at 24 years of age – a stage where most NRL prospects give up their professional sporting dreams and move on to their back up job.
However, he persisted and has gone from strength to strength to become one of the NRL’s marquee players.
But nothing has come easy for Hynes, with his parents separating when he was young, and his mother being in and out of prison for most of his life.
After her recent brush with the law, he took it on himself to stand as his mother’s primary support network, taking her into his Cronulla home for the foreseeable future to ensure strict compliance with court orders. This tenacity, determination and ability to overcome adversity are all character traits paramount for success at Origin level.
Tevita Pangai Junior, Nicholas Hynes and Hudson Young of the Blues pose during a NSW Blues photo shoot in Coogee on May 22, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
It is a valid notion to question the psychological scars associated with being dropped from last years NSW line up, however it should not be forgotten that some of the great players gone by have been dropped and bounced back – to finish their Origin days as Blues greats.
Laurie Daley was dropped for game three of 1989 after a nervous start to his Origin career, while Andrew Johns was replaced for the corresponding game in the 1995 series. Although he may never reach the heights of the Blues greatest captain, or immortal status, Nicho Hynes does possess similar characteristics to these greats that will allow him to bounce back on rugby league’s biggest stage.
When we talk about State of Origin, words such as toughness, grit, tenacity and courage come to mind. Nicho Hynes has these in spades. His natural talent, skills, decision making and attacking flair, in combination with his make up as a person, presents him as a must pick at five-eighth for NSW.
If given the full confidence and adequate opportunities by coach Michael Macguire, Nicho Hynes might just be the missing piece of the puzzle that NSW needs to reclaim Origin ascendancy.
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