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.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Why couldn’t NSW choose Hynes & Katoa in the halves?
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
What, better than Munster, Dylan Brown, Tom Dearden, Ezra Mam, Luke Keary, Jarome Luai, Cody Walker, Kieran Foran and even Luke Brooks ? Really ?
Bernie
Roar Rookie
they should pick him just to get more female viewers.
Nat
Roar Guru
I tend to agree that Luai was a scapegoat. He didn’t play badly but took himself out of favour with his text. I know there was context but a ‘reply all’ tweet to a certain DH troll after that loss didn’t help his cause. TBH though I think Nicho has a broader skill set that can play off Cleary or execute by himself.
Nat
Roar Guru
One would hope (not me but others) that Madge comes in with a game plan better than ‘pick the Panthers’.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Madge wants a side the state can 'feel proud of'. So sounds like Romey's got the thick red pen thru him. Stat says this year Nicho's defence percentage is better than Nathan, Burton and Luai at almost double their number ( the latter two making 15 a game to his 30). With the ball Burto and Luai combined still haven't had half the number of try assists that Nicho's had despite also being the predominant playmaker in their side. Angus would be a tank outside him. The team's leading the comp and Nicho's leading the Dally M's, no coincidence.
Michael Yatras
Roar Rookie
Too much consideration is given to left and right sided players, especially in the halves. Yes, they all have a preference, however any half at NRL level, let alone origin level, they should be adept at playing on both sides of the field. What makes Cameron Munster a great player - strength, tenacity and unpredictability. Not the fact he prefers to play on the left.
Cam
Roar Rookie
I love Hynes, but Burton is the best left side half in the comp. He has a great running game, biggest boot in the comp and already has a combo with Crichton and Addo-Carr. Tough bugger and falls into that "built for Origin" category.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Hynes is playing well this season so far, as a predominantly right side, right footed kicker. I think his defence has been very good. But the issue for him, assuming Cleary gets the NSW number 7 also as a right side, right footed kicker, is can Hynes operate mostly on the left side in conjunction with Cleary? Or will Madge go for one of the natural lefties like Luai or Burton (or Cody or Wighton)? I think if he goes with a “leftie” it might be with Luai. He has played in 4 grand finals and sometimes with injury. I think he was unfairly made the scapegoat of the last Origin series. He laid on two tries for NSW in the Adelaide match that NSW should have won but for some poor late defensive lapses. The game 2 at Suncorp with Cleary out injured, was never a show for NSW with their forwards completely dominated. There was not much Luai could ever do there. So, he gets dropped for Cody in game 3 in Sydney, where NSW regularly win, and especially in a dead rubber !
Michael Yatras
Roar Rookie
I fear that picking Luai will lead itself to an all out Penrith style, as in game one last year, that is ineffective in the Origin arena. Club combinations are great, as long as there is a realisation that SOO is not club football!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah sure Players always have to adapt when they get to Origin. I look at Nicho this year with Trindall. They were playing a side each and doing it effectively, but Nicho has looked a different player and back to his best since running the attack on both sides I think Nicho’s strength is his high volume of touches…
Nat
Roar Guru
I think Nicho could play off Cleary. He is dominant at the Sharks because that’s his role but he could look after one side quite effectively. My question is around his defence. He is not really a strong contact defender and he’ll have Munster and Fifita coming at him.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
None of which explains why he MUST be selected ?
Nat
Roar Guru
I don’t think Madge will care too much for what happened last year. I agree though that he has to mark a real mark on these next few games to earn the jumper outright. Not that I think Luai is playing badly at all but I reckon Madge might be a bit more analytical in his game plan where Luai is more off the cuff, doesn’t do general play kicking and comes off the left when crowded. Otherwise there is Burton - is he up to that role at this level right now?
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
It's always really instructive to understand people's backgrounds and I'm sure Madge is well aware of this with all the players he will be considering for SOO1. I don't think there's any doubt Hynes is up to playing at SOO level, but the real issue is whether he fits into the Michael Maguire game plan? For mine, I think Hynes could play because the Blues struggled mightily with a single point of attack (Cleary) in the first two games last year. Everything worked through him, the Maroons knew that, so all they had to do was shut him down and the Blues attack was stifled. I'm actually more interested in seeing how Burton goes against the Panthers. He's the obvious challenger to Hynes and plays the left side of the field very well. If he has a good game this round, it could bring him seriously into contention. I hope for Hynes sake he gets a chance to show what he can do as a Blues player. It's great he's playing such good footy that puts him in contention.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah, it was a tough break for him and he genuinely seems like one of the nice guys of NRL, but not sure that gets him a jersey I don’t have a problem getting picked at 6, but do wonder how much he and Cleary fit together. Both primary play makers, both handle the ball a lot. I think Hynes’ strength is how often he is involved, how many touches he gets probing the defence for a weakness. Can he play second banana to Cleary and play a role Then we saw how good Cleary was in the 2023 Grand Final when Cogger came on and played first receiver Will take a bit of planning to make it work. But it could