Nicho Hynes’ chances of snaring the NSW No.7 jersey took a hit with the halfback putting in one of his worst performances in a long time in Cronulla’s loss to the Storm at AAMI Park on Sunday.
Hynes is the frontrunner to replace Nathan Cleary for Origin II but he fluffed his lines in his Blues audition in front of NSW coach Brad Fittler watching on from the Nine commentary box as Melbourne converted a 34-6 half-time lead into a 54-10 massacre.
He has left the door open for Eels playmaker Mitchell Moses to steal the spot with a strong showing in Monday’s clash with Canterbury with Cleary missing the rest of the series due to a torn hamstring.
Hynes came up with a couple of crucial errors by making poor pass in the first half to continue his modest record against the top teams since becoming Cronulla’s first-choice halfback at the start of last season.
Maroons candidate Christian Welch, a likely candidate to replace injured duo Jai Arrow and Tom Gilbert in the pack, could be rubbed out of Origin II after he was sin-binned in the 75th minute for a hip-drop tackle on opposing prop Royce Hunt.
Nicho Hynes. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Struggling against the heavyweights
Cronulla are undoubtedly a good side and Hynes is a quality player who was a worthy winner of last year’s Dally M Medal but when confronted with the top-notch opponents, their record is waning.
Against top-eight opposition, the Sharks have lost all six games this season, after taking out just four of 11 last season despite finishing second on the ladder, following on from 2-9 and 3-9 records in their previous two campaigns.
Hynes was 3-6 in games he started last year against the seven other teams that made the playoffs, including Cronulla’s back-to-back playoff defeats.
And this season his record against teams that are currently in the top eight is a win over Manly but losses to the Warriors, Broncos and now his former club Melbourne.
Hynes was the bench utility on debut for NSW in game one at Adelaide and missed a crucial tackle while playing out of position at right centre in the Maroons’ late surge to glory.
“He was probably not at his best,” Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon said. “Didn’t have much support there today. You need to be part of a strong team line-up to play well.
“The life of an elite player is you turn up and get your job done. Playing good footy usually takes care of those (selection) decisions. That’s just life and pressure in professional sport.
“He’s got a strong body of work behind him.”
Craig Bellamy, who brought Hynes into first grade before his successful switch to the Sharks last year, said “that wasn’t all Nicho’s fault” when asked if the halfback should have any concerns about his record against finals contenders.
“With Nathan out, I’d be picking him every day of the week,” the former NSW coach said. “I think he’s done enough over the past 18 months to prove he’s an Origin player.”
Fittler will wait until the Eels take on the Bulldogs on Monday afternoon before finalising his squad with Moses and Reagan Campbell-Gillard hoping to impress the selectors.
Moses played one Origin, with Jack Wighton as his halves partner, filling in for Cleary in the 2021 dead rubber which Queensland won 20-18 to avoid a clean sweep.
Christian hopes he’s not sacrificed by judiciary
Welch was worried after Hunt hobbled off following his controversial tackle and sought out his rival after the match.
“My first concern is the player, I hope he’s alright. You don’t go out there to injure someone like that,” he said. “I’ve gone and apologised. I haven’t really watched it, to be honest. It was just a bit of an ugly tackle, I don’t know.
“I wasn’t in the team for game one so I don’t know if I’d be picked.”
Bellamy said he thinks Welch should be the next in line to replace Arrow.
Fitzgibbon said he was not sure about the extent of damage done to Hunt’s ankle.
He said his team “never really got into the contest” and is concerned about a mid-season lull on the back of a lacklustre 20-12 home loss the previous week to Brisbane.
“Discipline cost us and field position, and the fundamental errors again,” he said, a week after a heavy defeat to Brisbane. “I’ve seen a few of these games popping up lately and it’s disappointing to be on the end of them.”
He said their attitude was not up to scratch and this is now an opportunity to do something about it.
Veteran five-eighth Matt Moylan was a defensive liability on the edge of the ruck and with players like Braydon Trindall and Connor Tracey unable to get regular game time, his spot should be under scrutiny.
When asked about his team’s poor record against the leading sides, Fitzgibbon conceded it was a problem they need to overcome.
Storm respond to Bellamy’s putrid spray
Bellamy didn’t hold back when he described his team’s effort as “putrid” last weekend in the media conference following their loss to North Queensland.
That was the polite, public version – you can only imagine how enraged he was within the four walls of the dressing room.
The Storm were a different team this time around, regaining the intent in every facet of their play that has been a hallmark of Bellamy’s era of success over two decades.
Storm prop Tui Kamikamica opened the scoring in the third minute when a Harry Grant grubber ricocheted off the upright into his lap but his putdown was dubious enough for Fittler on commentary to claim he’d dropped it.
Sharks forward Teig Wilton cancelled that out a few minutes when he benefited from a Ronaldo Mulitalo leap to claim a bomb.
But after a couple of handling errors and a poor pass from Hynes, the home side was in again when winger Will Warbrick was on the end of an overlap.
The Sharks again coughed up the pill and kicked early in their tackle count, leading to Kamikamica returning the favour to Grant by offloading close to the line for a rare try assist and a 16-6 lead.
Grant burrowed over to get his second before Xavier Coates touched down twice in a three-minute blitz before half-time – first when he flew high in AFL heartland and then when he leapt a long way from terra firma again to latch onto a Cameron Munster flick pass to virtually seal the win inside 40 minutes.
And they managed their 28-point first-half demolition despite second-rower Eliesa Katoa only lasting 10 minutes before copping a head knock – he was cleared after a concussion check but ruled out for the rest of the match due to a cut above his eye.
The carnage slowed in the second half but after Max King and Reimis Smith crossed out wide, the Storm held a 48-6 buffer heading into the final 15 minutes.
Jahrome Hughes brought up the half-century with nine minutes to spare before Mulitalo crossed for a late try which provided little consolation.
The final margin was a record for the Storm in clashes with Cronulla but it could have been worse if they kept going at full throttle to finish the match but they eased back with centres Marion Seve (head knock) and Reimis Smith (hamstring) forced off in the closing stages.
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
PS. I see Fitzgibbon has selected the same team - as someone wise said: The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
I have no expectation of that happening at all. Those sides you referenced were pretty low on talent but they had a dig. On the basis of their talent - and let's face it those sides were modest with a capital M - apart from Gal there was not a rep player to be seen. This is the softest Cronulla pack I have seen and I have seen them all from 1973 onwards. That pack and the 2016 era mob were the toughest. This lot is pathetic. To have a modest attacking side like the Dolphins tear you a new one is a disgrace. So is leaking 69 points in two finals matches with one at home - 69! I am tired of being embarrassed by them. If they have a dig and lose then fair enough but they did not want to be there - that is perfectly clear - it was all too hard. They are the softest pack in the NRL bar none. Last night on Nine Wado admitted they'd gone missing. Gal made the point that they lost it in the middle and Nicho could not be expected to pull them out of that. How does a team go to Melbourne after the Storm have been thumped and not expect trench warfare? They must have "missed the jump" or some pathetic Fitzgibbon excuse. But have no fear, the pattern will resume this weekend - they'll put plenty of points on the Dogs and look very pretty in doing so and some supporters will get excited and think they've "turned the corner" and then next time they play a side with guts and commitment and hardness they'll fold like a napkin. Guarantee it. I'd love to be wrong. All the best.
Cwizzle
Roar Rookie
So poor club form applies to Hynes, yet not ‘Mr I Dont Pass the Ball’ Teddy?
Dionysus
Roar Rookie
He is probably stronger. Great upper body strength which is why he can steal the ball as much as he does.
Renegade
Roar Guru
I hear ya, the defence and middles were soft but it’s still a side on the up that will improve…. The sharks side in the 5 years leading up to winning the premiership were leaking far more points than this lot and could barely compete against mid table sides let alone top sides. It’s not all doom and gloom, hopefully yesterday serves as the ultimate wake up call for the coaching staff and players
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
My criticisms aren't in the least about him not winning a title. I would not have expected him to last year or this year or anytime soon - not with Penrith being Penrith. It's the defence and attitude - it's appalling. I have been following this team and club since 1975 - I have seen all types of Cronulla sides - this one, on its day against the right team is spectacular to watch. But the defence against tough sides that serve it up to them is awful. Simple. It's embarrassing. The pack is as soft as a pillow. I couldn't care less if you disagree. That's just the way it is - if you don't believe me watch yesterday's game or the game against the Dolphins or the second half of the Warriors game or the ...
Tetley
Roar Rookie
You could call Moylan a speed bump but that would be disrespectful to speed bumps. Get Tricky into the halves.
Tetley
Roar Rookie
Tend to agree
Renegade
Roar Guru
RF, His a 2nd year coach, not winning the premiership already is hardly a fail for him…. Imagine if the broncos had given up on Kevvie and the roster he was building a couple years ago. Yesterday was incredibly disappointing, but it’s still a team on the up rather than down in years to come.
Renegade
Roar Guru
I wouldn’t mind giving that a crack either, but dropping both of your senior leaders - Dale and Wade would be a setback in my view…. I wouldn’t drop both.
Mattpoet
Roar Rookie
No hand on Coates though
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Seems pretty ludicrous if that’s the case. Wait for one bad game to justify not picking him and then look for one good game to justify the alternative. If that game is reason to not pick Hynes he shouldn’t have been in the 17 for Game 1.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
In the fan forums Shark fans are piling on Moylan, Wade and Dale. And pushing for Connor for Talakai (14), Collquon /Tom (rotation) and Trindall. I would be happy to try that.
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
Actually goods news: "Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon has been given a massive vote of confidence by the Sharks board after inking a three-year contract extension. The deal means Fitzgibbon will be the head coach until the end of 2027, guaranteeing his tenure for five more seasons." Only four more years after this one - phew, that's a relief.
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
You should join Fitzgibbon's coaching staff - you'd fit right in.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Enjoy the win Joe, haven’t had a sharks-storm game like that in some time…. I’d rather forget this one :unhappy:
Renegade
Roar Guru
Wouldn’t want you to have anyone’s back… as harsh as yesterday was, hopefully it’s a learning. “Waiting until 2029”… seriously, get a grip.
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
I have written many times on here that there is something deeply wrong with Cronulla. Their run to the finals last year to come extent camouflaged their failings when it came to beating the better sides but the Cows and especially Souths exposed their defensive failings. To let in 69 points in two finals matches - including one at home - was a disgrace. I expected the coach to flog them over summer. By the looks of it he let them lounge around on a beach. The same defensive deficiencies are apparent this - but only worse. They are great flat track bullies and look wonderful when tearing apart a lesser side but they cannot handle it when a good side, a tough side, sticks it to them. The Raiders have done that to them for some years - this year Stuart said: "We know how to handle Cronulla." Sadly he was spot on. Plenty of other teams are doing the same now - with ease. I watch all of Fitzgibbon's press conferences - it's the usual crap - "we've got to work harder" etc. And the journos are too soft - I am one and I'd be asking some much tougher questions that this lot who seem to not to want to offend him. Crap. One recent flashing warning sign was the shocking loss to the Dolphins. Apparently they didn't have the "right attitude" said Fitz, that they "missed the jump". More crap. How can they not get up for Magic Round? The pack is a shambles. Finucane is a dud buy - big time. I love Wade - at his peak he was wonderful - a hard hitting backrower with a dangerous short kicking game. Now, he's a shadow of what he was. There is no punch, aggression or line speed - or ferocity. The softest pack in the NRL - by far. Moylan is being targeted by everyone - and it takes no great coaching to aim runners between him and Wilton - it's a gap as wide as the heads. Mulitalo is a muglair - loves to put on a show - sadly that show includes bombing tries, failing to defuse kicks and missing tackles. Drop him now for Stonestreet or Iro. Plenty of others need to be dropped too. Will it happen? Nah. That's not the Fitzgibbon way - he'll just continue to mouth platitudes. Who to bring in? Anyone from Newtown. The time to send a message is long, long overdue. But here's the really bad news for Cronulla fans - Fitzgibbon and the club have been very busy on the retention front. They have retained and extended this bunch of losers for years to come so there is no chance of major roster changes. We're stuck with these losers - period - happy days. As for Nicho he's magnificent. Terrible yesterday sure but who wasn't? And not many halves can play off the back of a pack that wasn't just beaten but clearly didn't want to be there. He should be filthy at his loser teammates who cost him a chance at a Blues jersey. He won't be of course because he's too good a bloke so I will be on his behalf. For Cronulla fans all we can do is wait for the contract-extended Fitzgibbon and the team he built to depart. Roll on 2029 - or whenever that blessed year is.
The Wollongong Ocean
Roar Rookie
Yeah nah. Bellamy wants his QLD boys to dominate and bring that form back into clubland.
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
Spot on. Flanno would have made changes long before this. Lucky Dragons.