State of Origin NSW Blues team news 2024: Nicho Hynes suffers calf injury, Michael Maguire torn on key positions
The Blues have been dealt a potentially devastating injury blow on the eve of Origin team selection, with Nicho Hynes’ NSW hopes hanging by a thread after suffering another injury setback.
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Michael Maguire is scrambling to solve the biggest halves crisis NSW has faced in decades after Nicho Hynes went down with a calf injury on Saturday night.
Hynes’ hopes of wearing the NSW No.7 jersey are now hanging by a thread after the Sharks halfback failed to finish the match against Penrith because of an ongoing calf problem.
Cronulla officials said the decision to remove Hynes from the match was more precautionary than anything but the fact he failed to finish the game has now left coach Michael Maguire scrambling to fill the face to partner Jarome Luai for NSW.
Maguire has made it clear that he wants players training as soon as Monday when they enter camp but Hynes – even if the injury is only minor – will have to be managed throughout the initial stages of preparation.
That comes with the likes of Nathan Cleary (hamstring), Mitchell Moses (foot), Cody Walker (calf) and Jack Wighton (retired) unavailable.
Maguire took his place inside a corporate box at PointsBet Stadium as he watched Hynes struggle in the opening half. He sent two kicks out on the full before coming from the field for a concussion test which he passed.
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said it was during the concussion test which hindered Hynes.
“(During) the 15 minute time off cool down it tightened up,” Fitzgibbon said. “I think he is OK.
“I’m not sure (about Origin). Even if he got through he has to be modified. I’m not certain.
“He had it a couple of weeks ago. He did well to get through last week. He was getting through tonight. (The issue) is still there. I don’t know the severity of it. It’s not like it is completely gone.”
In contrast, Luai was red-hot during Penrith’s 42-0 demolition.
Hynes has struggled with an ongoing calf problem this year and has already spent time on the sidelines because of the injury.
While the halves spot is problematic, Maguire is still wrestling with a host of other selection headaches.
D-Day has arrived for the first-time NSW State of Origin coach and the biggest decision of his coaching career.
So tight is the decision, the former Kiwi Test coach isn’t willing to make the call until the final hour although Edwards seems to be closing in on a NSW debut while Maguire is set to make another big call by overlooking Api Koroisau in favour of Reece Robson.
If Tedesco misses out for the first time since 2015, NSW will also be on the lookout for a new skipper. Tedesco was at his trademark best in making a last-ditch effort to keep his NSW jersey scoring two tries, laying on three more in a blockbuster effort against the Raiders on Saturday afternoon. But it may not be enough to keep his spot.
Edwards, who ran for more than 200 metres and had one line break in another strong showing, said he was holding out hope.
“I am not anticipating a call,” Edwards said. “I’ll spend (Sunday) with my family. I’ll enjoy a nice little Sunday. I won’t be sitting by the phone.
“I’d love the phone to ring but I’ll just wait and see.”
Tedesco, who closed out his Origin audition for the Roosters against the Raiders on Saturday afternoon, set a record for NSW last series, overtaking Danny Buderus, with 22 consecutive Origin matches for NSW.
The 31-year-old has made the most run metres in Origin history and is the most capped starting fullback in NSW history after overtaking Tim Brasher in Origin II last year.
As solid as Tedesco’s form for the Roosters has been this season, Edwards has his rival fullback covered on statistics with superior runs, run metres and tackle busts so far.
Another major call for Maguire is the hooker position with Wests Tigers dummy-half Api Koroisau and Cowboys gun Reece Robson believed to be duelling for the jersey. Robson is said to have the advantage.
Aside from Edwards the likes of Cameron McInnes, Joseph Suaalii and Haumole Olakau’atu are closing in on a NSW debut.
Zac Lomax, Jesse Ramien, Mitch Barnett and Spencer Leniu are also in the mix.
McInnes said Origin was far from his mind following the loss.
The Blues injury concerns also shifted to the forward pack after Liam Martin came from the field at half-time because of a hamstring injury.
While Martin played down the prospect of missing Origin, the fact he did not finish the game now has question marks on his place.
“I was a little bit tight but it should be fine,” Martin said. “I have no concerns. It should be fine.”
WALKER INJURY LEAVES LUAI AND HYNES IN POLL POSITION FOR BLUES
Rivals one day, the pride of NSW the next.
Penrith’s Jarome Luai and Cronulla halfback Nicho Hynes will duel as competition heavyweights at PointsBet Stadium on Saturday night, just 24-hours prior to their anticipated selection as the NSW State of Origin halves pairing.
The likelihood of the in-form duo being chosen for the Blues has firmed into favouritism due to an ill-timed calf injury to NSW incumbent five-eighth Cody Walker.
It comes as first-time Blues coach Michael Maguire has confirmed his eagerness to make sure his players are able to train from the first day of camp next Tuesday, casting huge doubt over Walker’s availability.
“I’d like them up and running to start with so that you can get your training into them,” Maguire told The Big Sports Breakfast. “Obviously with a new coach, new players, that’s an ideal situation when you get your players coming in and you can get to know each other.
“You don’t have a lot of time with them on the field because it’s just the short campaign, but every moment on the field is very important.
“Using Cody as an example, I’ve been very transparent in chatting with the players about how they’re travelling and where they’re at.
“So I’ve got a good idea of how they are going.
“I’d love to have them training and getting to know them. I really enjoy that part in building the team and being on the field, that’s what we do as footballers.”
Troubling Walker – who is out of Souths clash with the Eels on Saturday night – is that interim Rabbitohs coach Ben Hornby confirmed the club were unable to declare when the 34-year-old playmaker will next be able to train.
“We’ll have to see how he is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and have to go from there, so at this stage I couldn’t tell you,” Hornby said on Friday.
The Panthers huge clash with the Sharks will also feature Origin aspirants Dylan Edwards and Cameron McInnes.
However, it’s the duel between Luai and Hynes that has triggered PointsBet Stadium to be sold-out almost seven days prior to kick-off.
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon is confident Hynes’ calf issue won’t be a problem for him in camp if he’s selected to play halfback for the Blues, with the star playmaker the raging favourite to wear the No.7 jersey for NSW after guiding his side to the top of the table.
The actual calf injury has pulled up well, but it’s a managing process now,” Fitzgibbon said.
“It wasn’t a significant issue at the time, but it was enough to monitor his loads and make sure the most important time on his legs is the 80 minutes this weekend.
“He’s done some work to be prepared for this week, but not as much as he’d normally do. That’s a process over a couple of weeks to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
“It’s just a process of overcoming the original injury, so you can’t go back to the same volume you were doing before the injury, so I imagine each week he’s going to get stronger.”
Fitzgibbon is keen to see his players rewarded for their strong start to the season – regardless of the implications for his side.
“It’s possible (it could test the Sharks) but if you look at it as a challenge and an opportunity, it’s more exciting than anything,” he said.
“The players that get rewarded with those jerseys, that’s something those boys have been dreaming of for a long time. So it’s worth it.”
DEBATE: RICCIO AND READ HAVE THEIR SAY ON NSW SELECTION CALLS
With just one round left to play until NSW coach Michael Maguire names his team for Game I, NRL experts David Riccio and Brent Read (a Queenslander) go head-to-head on the biggest selection calls facing the new Blues coach.
FULLBACK
David Riccio: This is the biggest call Michael Maguire will make, Readie. If Nathan Cleary were fit, I’d be confident in Maguire picking Penrith’s Dylan Edwards due to their club combination. He could easily still go that way. But I’ll stick with the NSW captain and incumbent James Tedesco. Origin experience matters for Maguire now that Cleary, Tom Trbojevic, Mitch Moses and Cody Walker are injured.
Brent Read: I’ll be honest with you Dave, I’m not sure why the Blues are even considering dumping Teddy. He is their captain, the Australian captain. He has been great this year for the Sydney Roosters. He’s a NSW legend. For me, as good as Dylan has been over the past three or so years for Penrith, Teddy has to be there. He has earned the right to start the series. If NSW lose game one, then all bets are off. But you’ve got to have James Tedesco in the side. It’s a non-negotiable.
CENTRE
DR: Readie, the Blues will need to name two outstanding defensive centres given the speed in your Maroons backline with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Val Holmes and Reece Walsh out the back. Stephen Crichton will obviously be one Blues centre, with the benefit that he can play left or right side. The other centre position I’m going with is Jesse Ramien. He is in career-best form, running for over 130 metres per game with 32 tackle busts. Zac Lomax is also in the discussion, he has a touch of X-factor. However, he’s been playing on the wing, so is he tackle-hardened for Origin? He’s been making just under five tackles per game compared to Ramien’s 12.
BR: This one is pretty simple for me Dave. As a Queenslander, who would I hate to see in the NSW side? The answer is Latrell Mitchell. On his day he demolishes teams and his form hasn’t been that bad this year. For all the criticism he has copped, I reckon he has been going all right. After all the talk that he wanted out of Origin, I’ve talked to people close to Latrell and he wants to play for the Blues. Yes, he wanted to concentrate on helping Souths but now Origin is here and he wants to help NSW win the series. I understand the push for Jesse Ramien and I reckon Matt Burton is a bit of a smoky if he isn’t picked at five-eighth. If you’re asking me who puts the fear of God into me, it’s only one man – Latrell. He needs to be there.
HOOKER
DR: Although he’s coming from a struggling team, I’m going with Cowboys hooker Reece Robson. He played from the bench in the Blues Origin III win last year. At an NRL level, he’s a superior defender to Api Koroisau. Robson misses 2.2 tackles per game compared to Koroisau’s five.
BR: I can’t see how you go past Api. Okay, the Tigers have been on struggle street this season but Api has been one of the shining lights. One of their few shining lights in fact. Behind Harry Grant, he is the best hooker in the game and you’re telling me NSW are going to leave him on the sidelines. You’ve made my day Dave.
X-FACTOR
DR: Fans don’t understand how close Roosters utility Connor Watson was to being chosen for the Blues before he was ruled out with a throat injury. Watson was viewed as an energy-shifter from the Blues bench with his speed and footwork, who can cover almost every position. There’s really no other player like that available for the Blues, so they’re going to have to rely on their selections to provide the brilliance, which is where Roosters star Joseph Suaalii comes in. Personally, I wouldn’t pick a player bound for another code next year. However, there’s no denying Suaalii has the x-factor brilliance either through his leap, pass or run that could change the game for NSW.
BR: I love the Suaalii selection. I only spoke to him at Magic Round and you could see how much it would mean for him to play for NSW. I know he is going to rugby union next year but every Origin series means so much. You need to pick your best side and for me, Suaalii is in the Blues’ top 17. He simply has to be there. I reckon it’s also important that NSW have some size on the wings given the Maroons could boast Xavier Coates and Selwyn Cobbo. Brian To’o is a beast on the ground but Queensland will no doubt send a few bombs his way. With Suaalii on the other wing, you’re wasting your time. He doesn’t drop many.
BR: Anyway Dave, good luck. You’re boys are going to need it although as always, Queensland are the underdogs. Hopefully David beats Goliath … again.
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