NRL 2023, Indigenous All Stars win 28-24 over Maoris, Nicho Hynes claims man-of-the-match
Nicho Hynes showed no signs of slowing down in his second year at Cronulla, starring for the Indigenous All Stars, despite going through one of the toughest weeks of his life.
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Nicho Hynes has put aside one of the toughest weeks of his life to lead the Indigenous All Stars to a 28-24 comeback win over the Maori All Stars in Rotorua.
After claiming the Dally M medal last year, Hynes picked up where he left off by scoring a try and having a hand in two morein the traditional exhibition match.
“To our boys, it’s been the best week ever,” Hynes said.
“I can’t thank you guys enough. To the coaching staff and all the support staff, and everyone who’s made this game happen, it’s unreal.
“And to my mum, I love you so much, and I’ve done this is for you.”
Indigenous winger Selwyn Cobbo also turned around a horror start to claim a hat trick.
Hynes’ performance came days after his mum Julie was found guilty of knowingly supplying heroin and is facing a third stint in jail.
Hynes’ close mate, Luke Murphy, suffered an accidental drug overdose and died in the living room of Julie’s home in May, 2021.
The Cronulla star has previously spoken about his heartbreak at losing his good friend, and has written the name ‘Murph’ onhis strapping while playing for the Sharks.
Hynes also took his mother to the Dally M awards last year, where he openly talked about her “tougher life” after receiving the medal.
But, despite the latest developments in his mother’s case, Hynes took the field in a game where the Indigenous side twice had to come from behind to claim victory.
And he did all from fullback too, having been asked by coach Ronald Griffiths to switch positions, with Latrell Mitchell playing in the centres.
“Nicho was the Dally M Player of the Year last year at halfback. We had a bit of a different vision on where we wanted to play Latrell this week and how we wanted to play him,” Griffiths said.
“Nicho took that in his stride. And he faced some adversity later in the week.
“We did his jumper presentation yesterday and I was fortunate enough to speak about each player. And when I talked about Nicho, I said he’s destined for greatness.”
Now that's just good footy.
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) February 11, 2023
Indigenous All Stars take the lead!
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HELLO COBBO
On the same day it was revealed he is to be fined for his public criticism of club coach Kevin Walters, Cobbo may have been fearing some criticism of his own.
In the first quarter alone, Cobbo dropped a routine kick, botched an attempted grubber in the open field, then bombed a certain try from a Latrell Mitchell cutout.
But the Broncos winger turned it around to play a key role in their comeback.
First his clever trap and run set up a Hynes try in the second period to reduce an eight-point deficit to eight.
But his second effort was even better.
Again he trapped a grubber at his feet before picking the ball up, fending off three defenders, and racing 95 metres to give his team in the lead in the final period.
He then pounced on a Cody Walker grubber seven minutes later, before completing an 11-minute hat trick when he latched onto a Jack Wighton pass soon after.
“I spoke to Selwyn at halftime and I said when you’re playing football, when you make a mistake, it doesn’t matter. And then he goes out and does that after it,” Griffiths said.
“He’s a very young man, very green. But I have no doubt he’ll turn into a long-term NRL player. He just needs a strong support around him. The sky’s the limit for Selwyn.”
GAZE ON HAYZE
He’s barely mentioned among the slew of Bulldogs signings this season, but Hayze Perham showed why he’s set to start in theirNo.1 jumper this season with an impressive outing for the Maori.
The 23-year-old displayed good anticipation to prevent a handful of 40-20 attempts, pulled off a trysaver on Cobbo and also flashed some fancy footwork in tight situations.
He had a team-high 97 metres.
Another new buy in the Maori side, Parramatta signing J’maine Hopgood, showed out with four offloads playing lock.
Riki brothers Preston and Jordan, who play for Penrith and Brisbane respectively, also bagged a try each.
KERR CATCHES FISH
Dragons forward Josh Kerr could be facing a stint on the sideline after being sin-binned for a high shot on Penrith front-rower James Fisher-Harris.
Kerr’s right shoulder caught the chin of Fisher-Harris, who played on through a bloody lip.
It was the second time Fisher-Harris was on the end of some big shots, with the two-time premiership-winner also dropping the ball after being blindsided by Wighton.
Wighton and teammate Latrell Mitchell overcame a tumultuous week of their own, having been arrested a week ago following an incident in Canberra.
VIRAL STAR SHOWS SHE’S NRLW’S NEXT BIG THING
Teenage sensation Jada Taylor may have added another clip to her highlight reels but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Indigenous All Stars falling to the Maori side 16-12 in Rotorua.
Taylor went viral last year after scorching Leichhardt Oval with a 109-metre individual try for NSW in a State of Origin under-19s game against Queensland.
And while this one likely won’t break the internet again, the Sydney Roosters winger again showed why she’s a star of the future by tiptoeing down the sideline and beating three defenders to score.
Taylor was also involved in another flashpoint in the willing encounter after she was on the wrong end of a lifting tackle by Maori forward Destiny Brill, who was sin-binned in the third quarter.
The Indigenous side took instant advantage when front-rower Keilee Joseph powered over soon after.
But, off the back of strong play from halves Zahara Temara and Ash Quinlan, and prop Shannon Mato, the Maori roared home through tries to Amy Turner and Zali Faye.
In what was a day for wingers, Faye finished with two, while Taylor’s wing partner Jasmin Strange also nabbed the opening points of the game.
But it was Maori fullback Gayle Broughton who claimed player of the match honours, carrying the ball for 109 metres, breaking three tackles, and also making three try-saving tackles.
“No better feeling coming home and bringing this special moment home. Can’t put it into words,” Broughton said on Fox Sports.
“I’ve been on some pretty big stages in my life but nothing compares to wearing the Maori flag on my chest. No better place than home.”
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I was standing right behind the Jada Taylor fan club as she scored that 109m runaway try. How good. #StateofOrigin@codenrlpic.twitter.com/0Xn0itJtfU
— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) June 23, 2022
Originally published as NRL 2023, Indigenous All Stars win 28-24 over Maoris, Nicho Hynes claims man-of-the-match
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