Nicho Hynes cops brutal new setback in devastating blow to Cronulla's NRL finals hopes

Cronulla's season has been thrown into turmoil after the sad news about Hynes.

Tue, 9 July 2024, 1:19 am·3-min read

Nicho Hynes looks set to be ruled out for around eight weeks for the Sharks in a major blow to Cronulla's hopes of qualifying for the NRL finals. Initial reports indicated the former Dally M Medallist could be sidelined for six weeks after being carried off the field with a foot injury during Sharks training on Monday.

However, scans have since revealed that Hynes suffered a fractured ankle and complete rupture of the syndesmosis ligament, throwing Cronulla's season into turmoil. It's understood Hynes collapsed at training and was carried off the field by teammates on Monday. The Sharks later released a club statement to confirm the news about his injury.

Pictured right is Nicho Hynes on crutches after a training ground injury at the Sharks on Monday. — Nicho Hynes was seen on crutches when going for scans after a training ground injury at the Sharks on Monday. Pic: Getty/Nine

“The Sharks confirm reports in relation to a training injury suffered by Nicho Hynes earlier today,” a club statement read. “Hynes injured an ankle late in today’s Sharks training session at PointsBet Stadium and will be sent for scans to assess the extent of the issue."

Hynes was spotted on crutches after being sent for scans on the ankle injury on Monday. The Cronulla halfback has seen specialists since then, and is now unlikely to return until at least the eve of the finals. Cronulla's final game of the regular season comes in just over eight weeks' time, when they face the Sea Eagles away in round 27.

Seen here is Nicho Hynes playing for Cronulla in the NRL. — Nicho Hynes has copped his fair share of backlash over Cronulla's form slump. Pic: Getty

Nicho Hynes set for extended stint on the sidelines

The halfback was looking to bounce back from a number of below-par performances and his injury is set to be a massive setback for a side in the midst of a worrying form slump. Craig Fitzgibbon's men play the Wests Tigers on Friday night seeking a win to get their season back on track. But the Sharks will have to turn their season around without their best player as they look to avoid slipping out of finals contention, having led the comp up until six weeks ago.

Hynes is Cronulla's most important player but he's endured a rough few weeks after being dropped from the NSW State of Origin squad and replaced by Mitchell Moses after Game 1. Hynes has copped backlash over his failure to ice big moments late in games as well, after missing a sideline conversion against the Dolphins that would’ve sent the game into golden point. He then missed a field-goal attempt from point-blank range in a golden point loss to the Bulldogs in round 17.

Cronulla fullback Will Kennedy said teammates were gutted for Hynes and admitted his absence would be a huge blow for the club. "He's strong-minded Nicho, I think if we all get around him he will be sweet," he said. We all love him, but it's not something you want to see at training."

It represents a further blow to a Sharks side that will already be without wrecking ball back-rower Siosifa Talakai, who accepted a one-week ban for a high shot on Sam Verrills, during Cronulla's round 18 loss to Gold Coast. Daniel Atkinson is likely to step into the halves to replace Hynes for Friday night's home clash against the Tigers at PointsBet Stadium.

with agencies