Nicho Hynes delivered another starring performance in Melbourne’s 48-4 win over Newcastle, making a case to stay at fullback when Ryan Papenhuyzen returns.
Hynes scored a try and set up three others in the eight-try romp at Cbus Super Stadium and kicked all conversions for a personal tally of 20 points.
Initially only an injury cover for star Ryan Papenhuyzen, Bellamy may find it hard to dislodge Hynes from fullback – rewarded for his stellar form with a call-up to the NSW squad as 18th man for Origin 3.
Papenhuyzen has been sidelined with concussion symptoms since Magic Round mid-May and has started some contact training.
Bellamy said Hynes, who will join Cronulla next season, had grown as a player to become an invaluable cog in the Storm machine.
“Nicho has just got better and better as the year has gone on,” Bellamy said.
“For him to come back after Origin with his head fully on … it was a big week for him.
“He didn’t get to play but to actually just be picked in the NSW squad was such a big thing for him.
“But his performance, especially in that first half, was outstanding.”
Bellamy said he hadn’t decided what he would do with Hynes when Papenhuyzen returned, with the latter challenging as the game’s best fullback before his sickening head knock.
Both players offer utility value off the bench.
“When Paps gets the OK to play and puts his hand up to play that’s when we will start making those decisions,” Bellamy said.
“I’d like to think he’s getting real close so we just need to give it more time.
Bellamy said that winger George Jennings, who scored two tries, had suffered a PCL injury while Dale Finucane is also likely to miss the clash with North Queensland next Friday after failing a HIA.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
on form Munster makes way
kk
Roar Pro
Ohio State also have a pearler.
kk
Roar Pro
The Storm's regret.
Nat
Roar Guru
I just had a look kk, they are amazing. It reminded me of the starlings that sworm over Rome.
Nat
Roar Guru
I'll let sharkies fans answer that...
Walter Black
Guest
Nicho is too good a player to languish at the sharkies, can he not get out of that contract in some way, perhaps claiming he signed whilst being concussed or something ?
Joe
Roar Rookie
It will be very interesting when Paps returns. The question is will he be the player he was before he got concussed. His strengths are his speed, fitness (support play, cover defense) and going a 100% at everything in attack and defense. I expect it will take a game or two to get back to game fitness but if any of those aspects of his game are diminished due to the concussion or time out of the game it may be that Hynes is the better fullback but if he is 85% or more I'd have them both anyway. Hynes is a better creator in my opinion and his big body means he is a better defender and meter eater and aerial defender. Both kick goals but I think Hynes is a better general play kicker and Paps better (mre experienced) drop kicker. Next 2-4 games the Storm need to find out quickly what their best backline config is especially with Jennings out for a few weeks. Next game I'd like to see Brenko Lee at center with Reimis on the wing, at this point I don't rate Iremiah as part of our best back 5 options. When Paps returns I would like to see Nicho at center and Reimis on the wing. We've seen Reimis/Jennings combo which I also rate highly. One of these combos will be the best one to take into finals.
kk
Roar Pro
Watching Nicho in action is one of this seasons great pleasures,as is viewing The Storm in action who remind me of the precision displayed by the Fighting Texas Aggie Band. Have a gander on You Tube.
Red Rooster
Guest
Hynes is a better 5/8 and Paps is a better fullback. People have short memories about how good Paps start to the season was - he was leading the Dally Ms before he was injured.
Nat
Roar Guru
It will be an interesting dynamic when Paps does return as he is promarily a finisher where Nicho is more a runing 5/8 style. I guess they will just have to revert back to a Premiership winning style. I do wish Brisbane got him, he's a bloody good get for the Sharks.