State of Origin 2023: NSW Blues debutant Nicho Hynes ready to fulfil 14-year long promise

NSW Blues debutant Nicho Hynes will get the chance to honour a 14-year long heartfelt promise he made to his ‘No.1 fan’, when he runs out onto Adelaide Oval in Origin Game I.

Nicho Hynes will fulfil a 14-year promise to his Grandad, when he runs out for his NSW Blues debut. Picture: Sam Ruttyn.

Nicho Hynes was only 12.

He stood up and looked out to the funeral gathering of his closest family, who were quietly dabbing tissues to their eyes.

Little Nicho took a deep breath, pushed away his own tears, before taking a vow that will be achieved in the City of Churches on Wednesday night.

“I remember when my father (Don) passed away, Nicho would’ve been 12,’’ Hynes’ father Mick said.

“His grandfather was his favourite.

“Pa’, who lived in Newcastle, would come and watch him play whenever he could.

“At the funeral, Nicho asked if I minded if he came up and made a speech.

“He stood there and said, when I run out for NSW in State of Origin one day, I’ll be looking up at the sky, looking at you Pa.

Nicho Hynes will fulfil a 14-year promise to his Grandad, when he runs out for his NSW Blues debut. Picture: Sam Ruttyn.

“He always had that dream.

“I can’t believe it today, that he’s got there. I’m the proudest dad in Australia, I reckon.’’

The story of Hynes just keeps giving.

14-years after his heartfelt pledge to his No.1 fan, the reigning Dally M Player of The Year has arrived on the stage of the most-watched sporting event in Australia.

The 26-year-old will make his debut for NSW against Queensland in the opening game of the much-anticipated State of Origin series at the Adelaide Oval.

And in the wake of this story, the cameras will be on Hynes when he races out onto his field of dreams.

A young Nicho Hynes with his grandfather Don Wilson.

“I remember saying exactly what Dad has explained,” Hynes said.

“You can bet I’ll be looking up at Pa when I run out. He was someone I loved having around me when I was growing up. He just loved watching me play.’’

The story of the NRL’s brightest shooting star is about to write another stunning chapter.

It’s a story of inspiration that Mick just shakes his head at.

“He’s become so mentally tough,’’ Mick said.

“It’s unbelievable. It’s amazing how far he’s come.’’

A talented footballer from Greystanes before moving to the Central Coast, Hynes’ proud father worked day and night as a glazier to put food on the table for his two boys (Nicho and older brother Wade), while their mother Julie battled her own demons, in and out of prison.

Hynes has spoken at length about the pain as a schoolboy of watching his mother be taken away by police.

Hynes’ father Mick Wilson (left) says he’s the proudest dad in Australia, ahead of his sons’ NSW Blues debut. Credit: Supplied.

It resulted in plenty of tears and questions, but Hynes holds no resentment towards his mother, who will watch her son from home in Sydney.

As painful as the story goes, Hynes tells it to provide hope to other young boys and girls that may be experiencing their own family issues.

Asked how Hynes – and Wade – have beaten the odds to succeed in life, Mick said: “Through the support we’ve given him (Hynes) and the whole family has given them.

“The way he’s gone about himself, to do the hard yards to get to where he is. It has just made me and my wife (Leesa) so proud of him.

“His stepmum (Leesa) has been a tremendous support. In those hard times when his Mum was away, she’s been rock solid.

“We tried to do whatever we could for them.

“We had tough times ourselves, trying to keep living. I wasn’t on a big wage, but we did whatever we could for our kids.

“I always had a broken heart when they were upset.

“I’m a softie when it comes to that.

“We are here for them to lean on our shoulders and if they wanted to cry, I‘d cry with them.

“That’s why they have come through. And they were good kids.

“I coached him (Hynes) under 6’s to under-14’s and he always had his footy gear on everywhere.

“Wade (a successful plumber) too, he’s just a great bloke.’

Hynes will come off the interchange for the Blues. Picture: Richard Dobson.

’As a boy, Hynes would eat hot dogs and ride every Origin match with his Dad and Wade in the lounge room of their Woy Woy home.

“They‘d have their mates over and they’d all be in the lounge room,’’ Mick said.

“He loved ‘Joey’ (Andrew Johns) then he fell in love with (Johnathan) Thurston.

“I know he’s a Queenslander, but ‘JT’ isn’t a bad player to idolise.’’

Mick was with Hynes after the Sharks had beaten Newcastle, when his son broke the news to him that he had been chosen by NSW coach Brad Fittler to represent the Blues.

He, Wade and Leesa will be in the Adelaide crowd on Wednesday night.

“It was pretty emotional, when Nicho told us he’d made the side,’’ Mick said.

“It was a great feeling.

“I told Leesa the news and then said hopefully he remembers what he said that day and he looks up and says I’ve done it Pa.’’

Originally published as State of Origin 2023: NSW Blues debutant Nicho Hynes ready to fulfil 14-year long promise