State of Origin 2023: Nicho Hynes wins NSW Blues debut as bench utility
Nicho Hynes has reflected a ‘hell of a lot’ on where he has come from as his Origin debut looms, and he is ready to take his opportunity with both hands.
NRL
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Nicho Hynes could never afford to go to Origin as a child. Now he will have the best seats in the house as he prepares to live out his childhood dream.
Hynes has been named in coach Brad Fittler’s Origin 17 on Monday with the Cronulla Sharks star to make his debut off the interchange bench.
“It’s been pretty well documented the last few weeks my Origin aspirations,” Hynes said. “It’s a dream I’ve had for a very long time.
“I never got to go to a game because we couldn’t afford it. My first Origin memory was Andrew Johns coming back in 2005 in the second game where he absolutely killed it. That one sticks out.
“It would’ve been when I was about 20 years old. My second one was when I lined up as 18th man.
“You reflect during the week about where you’ve come from and picture yourself at home in your lounge room wishing you’re going to be there one day. I’ve done that a hell of a lot the last couple of years. When it’s time to go, it’s time to go. There’s no point thinking about it when you run out.
“I’ll have a lot of time to reflect and look at my younger self and draw motivation.”
Hynes has been in and around the Origin squad the past few years but a debut has just elluded him.
He was 18th man for Game III in 2021 and again for the first two games of the 2022 series before Covid-19 made him unavailable for game three.
“My first time 18th man was in 2021 I was at the Storm,” Hynes said. “I loved being around the boys and the professionalism of the arena. Once I was in that team and that environment I did not want to be there again. I was there for three games last year. I haven’t missed an Origin camp since 2021. I’ve been (waiting) to get a game. You grow a lot of confidence learning from players do and pick up their traits. You take it back to club land.
“From 2021 to now I’m a 100 times better player. You put the hard work in at training being around the best players you learnt a lot and you just want to stay with those players. I want to continue to learn and run out in a Blues jersey.”
The 26-year-old was in a battle for the starting five-eighth spot with Jarome Luai but will instead become the Blues’ Mr Fix It.
He said his “football smarts” will help him navigate the super sub role. He started his NRL career as the Storm’s bench utility.
“I can’t see why I couldn’t do it,” Hynes said. “I’ll take playing off the bench. I’ve played every position in the backline and I’ve played 13 and filled in at hooker at the Storm
“I feel like I am a smart footballer and know how to defend in every position and I know how to attack in all positions. I’m confident in myself and footy smarts that whatever positions I feel like I’ll be smart enough to play that position.”
Earlier this year Hynes declared he “hated Queensland” during the Origin period. He laughed off those remarks and said he was not “igniting” that again.
Club coach Craig Fitzgibbon said Hynes was readymade for the Origin arena.
“There are so many different ways you can be courageous on a footy field,” Fitzgibbon said. “You have guys that are fearless in terms of physical attributes. There are guys that are fearless in fatigue and not scared of any of that. And you have footy courage – players who are not scared to make plays. “He is completely fearless. He will get on and play. That’s what he does. That’s his best attribute. “Even if he has an off game it’s not through a lack of effort. He just has a crack. It’s wonderful to watch. More than anyone he should be proud of himself.
“He has navigated that journey and made decisions that have landed him to where he is now. He deserves all the credit himself.”
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