NRL 2022: Nicho Hynes dedicates his match-winning goal to late mate Luke Murphy

Nicho Hynes’s match-winning kick meant more to the Sharks recruit than just the two points in his first home game for Cronulla.

With “Murph” written on his wrists, Nicho Hynes paid the ultimate tribute to his late friend after kicking the match-winning conversion in his first home game in Cronulla colours.

Hynes arrived in the Sutherland Shire as the man to help revive Cronulla. He delivered instantly when the five-eighth nailed an after-the-siren conversion to give the Sharks an 18-16 win.

The victory meant more to Hynes than just the two points as he dedicated the victory to close friend Luke Murphy, who died last year.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free In Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now.

“I have a good mate of mine written on my wrists,” Hynes said. “That was dedicated to him.

“He was a massive Sharks fan. I wish he was here to celebrate with us. He grew up with me. He lived with us and was pretty much my brother. I am so glad we got the win for him. Everyone is here today. I have my family and best mates here.”

Nicho Hynes is swamped by his teammates after kicking the match-winning goal for the Sharkjs against the Eels. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Hynes starred for the Sharks but had an off night with his boot. He missed his first three conversion attempts before landing the crucial points after back-rower Teig Wilton crashed over halfway between the sideline and the posts.

Hynes said he never felt like he was going to miss the kick in front of long-suffering Cronulla fans who had not seen their team at their home venue since September, 2019.

“I wanted to build myself this year on those pressure moments,” Hynes said. “If I want to be a pressure moment player then the big players stand up and kick those. Even though I missed the first few I had to block out the outside noise. I knew I could get it over.

Nicho Hynes had his late mate “Murph” with him in spirit and on his wristband.

“I shut everything out and narrowed my focus on the next job. I had to be the person to deliver. I am lucky enough I did it.”

Wilton survived a first half injury scare to help the Sharks come from behind victory. He was replaced midway through the first half because of a knee injury but returned after the half-time break.

Wilton said five-eighth Matt Moylan called the play a set prior and told him to be ready.

“To do it in the first Sharks game back at Shark Park is unbelievable, it is surreal,” Wilton said. “Moyza told me to slip into the outside line.

“We’d been working on our combination together. When he is skipping on that overs line I have to go with him. It came to fruition.

“This is all I dreamt about when I first came to the club – playing in front of a packed house at Shark Park. It was better than I imagined.”

Moylan said “the way they were getting up aggressively, I thought there was an opportunity”.

Nicho Hynes was cool under pressure with the final kick of the match. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Son of a gun on mission to sit alongside No.1 greats

-David Riccio

In Jayden Campbell, we see the natural instinct to be where the footy is, a gift passed down from his father and former Dally M winner, Preston.

When Tyrone Peachey plays, we’re reminded of his famous Uncle David’s nonchalant brilliance, to float around the field, before turning water into wine.

Cronulla fullback Will Kennedy is the latest member of the NRL’s family tree of great entertainers.

The son of former Balmain centre William ‘Bubba’ Kennedy, who was the club’s leading try scorer in 1996 and 1997, remembers watching video tapes of his father’s flashy style and brilliant turn of speed.

“I think I’ve got him covered now, but in his prime he’d have me covered because his pace was awesome,’’ Kennedy said.

“I don’t remember watching him play, but he had a lot of old video tapes that I used to chuck in the video player that I’d watch.

“When I‘d watch them, it made me excited and happy watching them.

“I reckon I got his footwork and his speed. His zigzag, in and out, was pretty special.”

William Kennedy was a great entertainer, Will wants to be more.

Kennedy was named the Sharks Player of the Year last season, with his timing to sweep into the backline and superior pace to beat his man, culminating in 14-tries in 24-games.

But Kennedy wants more of something, which doesn’t suit the tone to this story.

While YouTube clicks of tries brings a smile to fans, the 24-year-old is working towards changing the way the Kennedy name is remembered.

“I want to be a top five fullback in the NRL,” Kennedy said.

“But to do that, I have had to toughen up.

“I’ve been working hard with Fitzy (Sharks head coach Craig Fitzgibbon) and Pricey (defence coach Steve Price).

“Try saves are the same as scoring a try. They’re big moments in the game. I want to take my defence to the next level.

“It’s so important.’’

Ahead of his 45th NRL game against the Eels on Saturday night at PointBet Stadium, Kennedy explains the moment he made the decision to let go of his fears.

Will with dad and a friend.

Kennedy has worked on adding more venom to his run.

“When I was younger, I’d try and weave in and out of tackles,’’ Kennedy said.

“But in the NRL you have to toughen-up and take those tough carries.

“When I came into the NRL (2019) I was sh****ng myself - but I feel so confident now.

“Ahead of the 2020 season I was off-contract and that pre-season I was competing with Connor Tracey for the fullback spot.

“At that point, I knew I had to become mentally tougher.

“It’s all about your mental state when you’re thinking about running into a forward.

“I thought I just have to do it.

“To be a better player, I had to become a tougher player.

“You see it in Latrell (Mitchell), just the toughness.

“It’s like knockout footy, I have to bring that mentality to the NRL and that helps my confidence in defence.’’

Kennedy played against Eels fullback Clint Gutherson on Saturday night — a player who the Sharks star rates as one of the best custodian’s in the game.

“(Tom) Trbojevic, (James) Tedesco, Latrell, (Ryan) Papenhuyzen and Gutherson are the best in my books,” Kennedy said. “That’s where I want to get too.

Kennedy got on the scoresheet in round one.

“Fitzy (Fitzgibbon) has helped me out heaps since he’s been here.

“He’s worked with Tedesco and brought a lot of the Roosters mentality to the Sharks and I love playing under him.

“I think he’ll be the one to take my game to the next level.’’

Beaten by the Raiders despite leading by one-point with four-minutes remaining last week, the Sharks are aiming to welcome back lead-recruit Cameron McInnes and tireless ballrunner Connor Tracey to the side against the Eels.

Key to the Sharks performance will be the increasing development and understanding of their new-look halves Nicho Hynes and Matt Moylan.

Hynes knows a quality fullback when he sees one, having played with Papenhuyzen at the Storm, while also deputising in the role himself.

“He’s a great player, Will,’’ Hynes said.

“It will take time for me to learn how he likes to play and how he wants the ball.

“But he’s a freak. He’s just a natural footy player.

“Once me and him learn how we both want to play, we can build into a really nice combination.”

Originally published as NRL 2022: Nicho Hynes dedicates his match-winning goal to late mate Luke Murphy