Nicho Hynes in big Kangaroos development after brutal NSW Origin saga
Cronulla's former Dally M winner endured a difficult 2023 that saw him brutally dropped from the NSW State of Origin side.
Nicho Hynes' rollercoaster year could be set to take another dramatic turn, with Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga revealing the Cronulla superstar is "knocking on the door" to earn a maiden Test cap for Australia. Hynes was brutally dropped by former Blues coach Brad Fittler after Game I of this year's State of Origin series but bounced back to earn selection in Meninga's Kangaroos side.
The 2022 Dally M Medal winner was brought into the Australian squad following the withdrawal of Panthers NRL premiership winner, Nathan Cleary, who is sidelined with a left knee injury picked up in the first half of his side's third straight grand final triumph. Cleary's withdrawal saw Daly Cherry-Evans start at halfback in Australia's Pacific Championships win over Samoa, with Hynes named 18th man.
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The Aussies next face New Zealand on October 28 at Melbourne's AAMI Park, with Samoa and the Kiwis locking horns on Saturday at Auckland's Eden Park. Kangaroos coach Meninga revealed that Hynes has impressed him in camp with the Aussie squad and is pushing hard for his international debut with the green and gold.
Mal Meninga talks up Nicho Hynes
“He’s been really good around the camp, I’ve been pleased with how he’s handled everything, and Nicho is just a good person, which is ideal,” Meninga told the Sydney Morning Herald. The Kangaroos coach went on the praise the "versatility" of the Sharks halfback, who has also featured at fullback for former club the Storm, and in the centres during his ill-fated Origin Game I with the Blues this year.
Meninga suggested Hynes could play any of those roles, while also flagging the possibility of the 27-year-old relieving skipper James Tedesco, if the Aussies decide to give the skipper an early mark against the Kiwis. The Kangaroos coach also suggested Hynes could be an option at hooker and revealed he's keen to give everyone in his squad some playing time.
"We can even throw him into the No. 9 role," Meninga added. “We’ll see how the week pans out. The good thing is he’s used to that role and fitting in anywhere. There are never any guarantees when it comes to team selections, but I’ll be looking to give everyone some playing time.”
It's understood Dolphins-bound Tom Flegler is also in line to make his Kangaroos debut after starring for the Broncos in their run to this year's NRL grand final. Boom Cowboys and Maroons centre Valentine Holmes is also expected to be brought back into the side after being slapped with a one-game ban and $25,000 fine from the NRL over a white powder scandal.
Nicho Hynes has endured a rollercoaster 2023
The resurgence of Hynes is no doubt the feel-good story for the Kangaroos after a tumultuous 2023 that saw the Sharks playmaker's form take a drastic dip after his Origin axing. Hynes was picked in Meninga's Kangaroos side ahead of other leading contenders such as veteran Brisbane half Adam Reynolds, with Daily Telegraph league reporter Dave Riccio among those to hail the call-up for the Cronulla star.
“He left his phone at the hotel room while he was at the pool so he didn’t know that Mal Meninga had parachuted him into the team. Hynes was of the belief that his season was over and now he gets the chance to pair up with a lot of his old Melbourne Storm teammates.
"He said he learnt a lot in that PM’s XIII game with Daly Cherry-Evans and that’s where Nicho’s level has got to get to. He’s got a stack of development to come and it’s camps like these that will add to that development.”
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