Nicho Hynes Origin saga takes fresh twist amid Daly Cherry-Evans revelation

Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans believes under his guidance Nicho Hynes can reclaim his NSW Blues jumper after the Sharks star was sensationally axed after just one appearance in this year's State of Origin series. Despite being named the 2022 Dally M Player of the Year, Hynes' only representative involvement has been a short stint off the bench in Game I for the Blues.

In a boost for Hynes, Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga says the Cronulla superstar is "knocking on the door" to earn a maiden Test cap for Australia. He is rumoured to be set to come off the bench for the Kangaroos game against New Zealand on October 28.

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Hynes was brought into the Australian squad after Panthers NRL premiership winner, Nathan Cleary, was forced to withdraw after picking up a knee injury in the first half of his side's third straight grand final triumph. His withdrawal paved the way for Hynes, who was named 18th man, with Cherry-Evans starting at halfback in Australia's Pacific Championships win over Samoa.

The Queensland captain was full of praise for Hynes and says he is working with him in the Kangaroos camp. Cherry-Evans made his representative debut off the bench for both Queensland and Australia and believes he is the right man to take Hynes under his wing, as he knows what it takes to adjust to the unfamiliar role.

" I reckon I'll be able to help Nicho," he told 9News. "That's how I made my debut at the rep level with Queensland and Australia, as a utility playing in the middle of the field and trying to do some dirty work defensively.

"It's a bit different for us as halfbacks. He's going to hold his own, he's more than ready for it. I've been there before in his situation so I'll be able to help him along the way."

However, the Australian half admits bouncing back from a State of Origin axing is difficult. "It would be (a tough thing to bounce back from)," he said. "I can speak on losing your rep position, I've lost the Australian jersey a few times and the Queensland one as well. I definitely feel for him and any advice I've got around that is to just make sure he backs himself."

Nicho Hynes shocked to learn of his call-up

Hynes was selected in Meninga's Kangaroos side ahead of other leading contenders such as veteran Brisbane half Adam Reynolds. The Kangaroos coach upon selecting Hynes praised his "versatility", with the Sharks star able to be deployed in the halves, at fullback or in the centres, as he was in his ill-fated Origin Game I with the Blues this year.

Daily Telegraph league reporter Dave Riccio hailed the resilience of the Cronulla star and said Cherry-Evans has been guiding him in the right direction since his axing. “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," Riccio said.

"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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