State of Origin: How the harassment of Nicho Hynes will decide Game One

Don’t worry about recalled NSW fullback James Tedesco. The Maroons have another special target on Wednesday night, writes ROBERT “CRASH” CRADDOCK.

Nicho Hynes is an obvious target for the Maroons. Picture: Rohan Kelly

James Tedesco might be the big story but Queensland’s fate in the first State of Origin game rests on its plan to harass Nicho Hynes.

There’s no middle ground with this one. It’s boom or bust for Hynes and his team is likely to rise or fall with him.

If there is one constant theme with NSW in four decades of Origin, it is that it simply won’t tolerate underperforming halves.

Scrum-base issues annoy Blues selectors like a dripping tap. Perhaps it’s a legacy of the standards set by the likes of Peter Sterling soon after the concept began.

It’s boom or bust for Nicho Hynes and the NSW Blues. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Fine player that he is, Hynes is an obvious target for the Maroons because he has been carrying a calf injury and, by his own admission, was shattered after being axed from the squad after playing 12 minutes, at centre, in his only Origin match last year following his missed tackle that led to Queensland’s matchwinning try.

Then there’s the fact that when Nathan Cleary returns from injury, someone must go.

The heat is on. There’s nothing more certain than Queensland will target Hynes in attack and hustle him when he has the ball, a fact acknowledged by Maroons great Cam Smith on SEN.

“I’d be testing him out,” Smith said.

“As good as he has been playing at club level, and there’s no doubt he’s been playing extremely well, he’s untried at this level.”

BILLY’S CALL

Could an event 17 years ago have influenced Billy Slater’s decision to omit David Fifita from the Queensland State of Origin side?

There’s always a ton of theories doing the rounds at Origin time but one that caught my ear came from Matty Johns, best known for his humour these days but a fine analyst of the game.

Matty Johns has an interesting theory to explain David Fifita’s omission. Picture: Getty Images

Johns reckons when Slater was playing for Melbourne and rival Origin mentor Michael Maguire was an assistant coach in 2007, Maguire shrewdly plotted a game plan to exploit a perceived Anthony Watmough defensive soft spot in the 2007 grand final against Manly, which Melbourne won 34-8.

Johns, speaking on SEN, reckoned it spotlighted the fact Maguire’s great strength was noting opposition frailties and if the occasionally flighty Fifita was lagging in any area, Slater reckoned Maguire would find it. Interesting theory.

MILFORD MADNESS

Dolphins half Anthony Milford deserves to be suspended for stupidity after his reckless use of the head in a tackle against Canberra.

Even referee Adam Gee could not help himself but call out Milford for the “absolute rubbish’’ tackle in which he used his head as pressure to take down Raiders centre Sebastian Kris.

The Dolphins’ recruiting in their first two seasons has been exceptional but Milford, despite the occasional bright spot, has been a disappointment.

Anthony Milford has been a disappointment for the Dolphins. Picture: Getty Images

SMOKIN’ JOE

The merits of NSW’s decision to choose rugby defector Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii are still a matter of debate but this much is certain. He can play.

Suaalii’s Roosters teammate Lindsay Collins, the Queensland prop, said: “I did think from early in the year they would be silly if they did not pick him.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii shapes as a game breaker for NSW. Picture: Getty Images

“He is a good player. Very professional. He debuted for us when he was still at school. He was doing his schoolwork at training then training with us.

“The head that he had on him as a young boy was very professional and mature. He is pretty switched on. For someone so young to have a mind like that ... your career is going to go one way.”