Hynes dedicating dream Origin debut to ‘all the fans that support me’

A “humbled” Nicho Hynes will be playing for all the New South Wales fans that have believed in him and his path to a Blues jersey since he burst onto the scenes as a fill-in at the Melbourne Storm in 2019.

The Gosford-born superstar came through the junior systems with the Umina Beach Bunnies and Woy Woy Roosters before moving into the Manly Sea Eagles development pathways. In 2019 he moved to the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Cup with eyes on eventually joining the Melbourne Storm first grade.

There, he exploded onto the scene, in particular in 2021 as Ryan Papenhuyzen’s deputy.

A year later, after moving to the Cronulla Sharks and shifting into the number seven jersey, Hynes truly announced himself on the NRL stage and capped off an incredible season with the Dally M and Provan-Summons medals.

Now, on the eve of State of Origin I in Adelaide, with the 2023 series still to be decided, the 26-year-old is looking back at the paths he took to earn his sky blue—or rather, dark blue this year—jersey. There’s plenty to thank, from his mum and dad to the Sharks and the Storm, but at the forefront of his mind on Wednesday night will be the fans.

“It’s very humbling [to get all the support from fans],” he said.

“Since 2021 I’ve been aiming to be here so it’s really nice to be here, to be playing in the 17, and to be pulling on the sky blue jersey.

“Really, it’s a bit overwhelming. You try not to listen to stuff much usually and just focus on playing good footy, but [the support] is really cool. The fans back me, so hopefully I can do them proud.”

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Hynes is trying to live up to fan expectations on Wednesday, but there’s more to his debut than just trying to make everyone in the past proud—he’s actually playing in the 14 jersey.

With incumbent halfback Nathan Cleary the automatic pick to play the team’s commanding role and his Panthers sidekick Jarome Luai slotting in at five-eighth thanks to the club chemistry, Hynes has found himself picked as the squad’s utility star. While he’s not been doing much of that recently, the Central Coast commander is happy to do whatever is required.

“It’s nothing new to me, but I’m confident I can do a job there,” he stated.

“I’ve played everywhere in the backline… it’s only really unfamiliar at the moment because I have been playing halfback. Throughout the week I’ve been training that different position, trying to get some connections built up with left-side players, right-side players, and even in the middle as well if I have to.”

The 26-year-old actually played 11 games in the 14 for Melbourne in 2020. In that role, he helped the Storm all the way to the grand final (where they beat Penrith 26-20), though he had to watch on from the bench as he was left unused across 80 minutes.

This time, there’s no chance he gets left on the pine.

“Nicho taking that next step has been very exciting,” coach Brad Fittler said on Tuesday. “His story is just brilliant and he now gets his chance to do it on the big stage, so I can’t wait to see him play. Download Our Free NRL App

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