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Should Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes be overlooked for Game 1 in the upcoming State of Origin series, the failure to acknowledge his outstanding form will raise plenty of eyebrows.
It would also continue a pattern. The 26-year-old was not selected in the World Cup touring party late in 2022, despite leading the Sharks to second on the premiership ladder last season.
Hynes also romped home individually in the Dally M Medal count, tallying the highest number of votes ever achieved under the previous voting system. Shark Park came alive each and every time the team turned on the style last season, with Hynes the conductor both in setting up his mates and his individual performances.
The halfback is threatening to back up his Medal win with another, trailing Payne Haas by seven votes as the final week of publicised results looms and the count heads behind closed doors for the remainder of the season.
Nicho Hynes deserved his 2022 Dally M Medal, as well as a spot in the World Cup squad. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
After something of a clunky start to the 2023 season without Hynes, the Sharks have chalked up five wins from their last seven after his return, established some serious momentum and their talisman’s influence has grown as the overall team performances have improved.
Having now proven his credentials across an extended period of time and as undoubtedly one of the most valuable players in the competition, it is time NSW coach Brad Fittler gave Hynes his just desserts and an Origin jersey.
Plenty will cite the excellent recent form of Jarome Luai with the Panthers and his proven and successful combination with teammate Nathan Cleary on the representative stage, yet another snub to the man from the Sutherland Shire will simply confirm in his mind that no matter how well he performs on a week to basis, others have the inside running.
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Hynes enjoyed a small taste of Origin in 2022, named as 18th man for the opening two matches before contracting COVID-19 shortly before the final clash that saw the Maroons stun the favoured Blues by 22-12.
Both then and now, the thinking appears to be that the Panthers links make Cleary and Luai the logical selections, particularly considering five more players from the foot of the mountains made appearances during the series.
Frankly, it is a little tiring hearing of these so-called combinations and their success, especially when they failed to beat a Queensland team that many felt the Blues should have been able to dominate across most areas.
Fittler was clear prior to Game 1 around his selection decisions. “I can see the fact with Penrith players all around, those combinations are always good,” he said.
Should the Blues win the upcoming series and Cleary and Luai remain uninjured if chosen, the non-selection of Hynes will continue to have fans guessing whether they will ever find out if he is a custom-made Origin player that could potentially offer Fittler something valuable.
Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai. Would Blues coach Brad Fittler dare break up this combination? (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
The poise that the Gosford-born half shows under the most intense pressure is has greatest attribute, along with his deft passing and kicking games that continue to draw Dally M voters’ eyes to him on a weekly basis. Nothing is lost defensively, with Hynes having been well schooled by master-coach Craig Bellamy during his time in Melbourne.
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Plenty of paper talk suggests Fittler may well find a spot for Hynes on the bench inside the 17, and the coach did use Damien Cook and Stephen Crichton as non-power forwards off the bench in 2022. Yet with the riches available to Fittler, squeezing them all in will be tricky and a back up dummy-half option does appear to be his preferred strategy.
Whether Hynes is the best man for that job is doubtful, despite his obvious ability to play it, and many other roles due to his utility value.
It would be a disappointing start to the series for Hynes, despite his obvious quality as a person sure to hide any sign of it. Despite some personal challenges off the field and plenty of media attention, he has handled himself with class and maturity since arriving in Sydney; becoming one of the game’s best leaders and most respected players.
Combined with his consistent body of work on the field, I’d suggest that demands an Origin jersey, particularly with the Blues needing to be better in 2023.
Hynes could make them better, yet we might never find out.
