Nicho Hynes in huge Origin statement after record Sharks mauling

Cronulla star Nicho Hynes has put forward an irresistible case for a NSW State of Origin recall after starring for the Sharks in an NRL record mauling of St George Illawarra on Thursday night. League icon Matty Johns said Hynes "deserves a crack in Game III" after helping his club record its biggest ever score against their local rivals in a 52-16 thumping of the Dragons at Shark Park.

Hynes bounced back from the disappointment of being dropped for Origin Game II with a stunning display for Cronulla, which included one try, three try assists and an individual haul of 20-points. The reigning Dally M Medallist was dropped for NSW's Suncorp Stadium hiding by the Maroons, after only playing 10 minutes off the bench and out of position at centre in Game I.

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The 27-year-old was exposed in defence for the Maroons' go-ahead try in Adelaide and ultimately paid a heavy price, as Blues coach Brad Fittler opted for two hookers in Game II, rather than playing Hynes in the halves or off the bench. Johns said after watching Hynes go about his business on Thursday night, he's convinced the classy playmaker should get another shot on the Origin arena.

Calls for Nicho Hynes to be recalled for Origin III

“Nicho Hynes was in the New South Wales system for a few years, he was only given 10 minutes at right centre (in Game I). Surely he deserves a crack in Game III as a starter to show what he’s about,” Johns said on Fox League's The Matty Johns Show.

Former NSW and Roosters star Bryan Fletcher agreed, and suggested Hynes should partner Mitchell Moses in the halves for the Blues, in a move that would spell bad news for incumbent No.6 Jarome Luai. “I wanted him at six... and I’d keep Moses. I’ll ask you Matty, do you think Nicho could play six?" Fletcher said.

Johns fired back: "Absolutely. His preferred side people will say would be the right which is where Moses (is). But I see him switch to the left all the time.

“I just think he deserves that opportunity. You don’t put him in the system for that long and then put him in a position which doesn’t suit for 10 minutes and then discard him. I’m not calling for wholesale changes but I think Hynes deserves that crack.”

Sharks coach backs Nicho Hynes for NSW recall

Veteran commentator and former NSW coach Phil Gould suggested Hynes was "fragile" and perhaps not ready for Origin after the disappointing Game I showing. However, Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon - who knows what it takes to represent his state after playing 11 games for the Blues - declared his star half would have learnt a valuable lesson from his experience.

“State of Origin is brutal right. Look at the pressure on all those Blues players, in particular now,” Fitzgibbon said. “The scenario is a challenge you wouldn’t want anyone to go through but it also can shape him, it’s a bit of adversity and I think he’s grown up for it.

“I’ve said all along I think he’s capable of doing it. The sample size over a long period has been remarkably consistent and of course I’d back him to play well if selected.”

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