If anyone was worried about Nicho Hynes suffering from second-year syndrome, they can relax.
The Sharks halfback was outstanding wearing the number seven jersey for the Indigenous All Stars, showing his ability to pop up anywhere on the field and find a vulnerability in the opposition and create opportunities for his team.
He was instrumental in their 28 -24 win over the Maori All Stars in Rotorua on Saturday, their first title win since 2019, and was the deserved winner of the Preston Campbell Medal as the player of the match.
Fox commentator Michael Ennis said at halftime that Hynes had looked ‘tremendous’ while Channel 9 commentator Andrew Johns said early on in the match that he was “easily the best player out there.” Next to Johns in the box was Billy Slater, who was excited to see what the rest of the year had in store for Hynes after his performance on Saturday.
“Looks like he has had a great off-season, off the back of the Dally M last year,” Slater said. “He’s in for an incredible season.”
There was so much off-field drama heading into the highly anticipated match. The ongoing saga surrounding the CBA negotiations threatened to take a big shine off the game, along with big-players dropping out as well as the arrest of stars Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton.
Thankfully today was just about the footy – and what a game it was.
As always, the traditional start to the match was emotional and powerful. The 17,644 fans in the crowd watched the Indigenous side performing their war-cry, while the Maorios performed the Haka. Fox League commentator Warren Smith called them both “spine-tingling, ” and I doubt many could argue with him.
Indigenous teammates Mitchell and Wighton were no doubt grateful to put the drama behind them and just get out on the field. Especially in Mitchell’s case, after missing last year’s clash due to suspension.
“He looks fit Latrell, and dangerous,” said Ennis.
After a drop ball led to the first try for the Maroi side, Selwyn Cobbo more than redeemed himself by the end of the game thanks to a hat trick including a great pick-up and a fend-off of three Maori players which resulted in a length-of-the-field try. Finishing the 80 minutes with the most run meters and line breaks from either side, Cobbo and Broncos fans will be hoping his flashes of greatness are more consistent this season.
The Maori side had a forward pack that resembled a brick wall, with James Fisher-Harris (my goodness that man is just a wrecking ball), Corey Harawira-Naera, Royce Hunt and Joseph Tapine all close to unstoppable in the early stages. Along with the expectantly brilliant big boys, Jordan Riki was also solid for the Maori side.
“They wanted the big hits, and they have plenty of them so far!” exclaimed Fox caller Warren Smith
Cronk said at half time “it was like the Maori team were just going through the front door,” referencing how they continued to trample over the Indigenous players. But as the first two quarters rolled on, the Indigenous side started to throw the ball around and played a more flowing style of footy, finishing the first half trailing just 12-10.
After Josh Kerr ended up in the sin bin for a high tackle on Fisher-Harris, Cronk changed his pre-game tip from the Indigenous side to the Maori All Stars, believing the Maori engine room would just be too strong to stop. Ennis laughed and asked how you could back against a backline with Hynes, Wighton, Mitchell and Walker” and comfortably stuck with his original tip.
And he was right.
The electric backline kicked into gear as soon as the second half whistle was blown, combining to put Brett Naden over for a four-pointer and take the lead off the Maori side.
With the game getting away from them, the Maori All Stars did their best to get themselves back into the match. A late try to Riki set up a grandstand finish, but the Indigenous side held on for their first bragging rights in four years.
Big hits, length of the field tries, brilliant backlines and forwards with no self-preservation. Rugby league is just so good for the soul and I am so happy to have it back.
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