‘It’s been a dream of mine forever’: Calls grow louder for Hynes to make his State of Origin debut

The squads for the State of Origin series opener will be picked in about a month’s time, but there’s only one name on everyone’s lips after another dominant display in the halves.

Calls are growing louder for Nicho Hynes to make his State of Origin debut after another special performance for the Sharks. Picture; Paul Kane/Getty Images

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon says Nicho Hynes is ready to make his State of Origin debut after the halfback steered his side to victory with a special second half performance to beat the Roosters 22-12.

Hynes had a fairly quiet first half by his standards but exploded into life after the break to dominate all the big moments with a couple of line breaks, with one of those leading to a crucial Blayke Brailey try which broke the 12-all deadlock.

The reigning Dally M medal winner has been on the cusp of playing Origin in the past, with Hynes the 18th man for the first two games of last year’s series which the Blues ultimately lost.

Hynes was close to making his Blues debut last year, and momentum is building for him to be picked for the series opener next month. Picture; Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Jarome Luai is the frontrunner to partner Panthers teammate Nathan Cleary in the halves given he was there last year, but NSW coach Brad Fittler has to find a spot for Hynes who could easily come off the bench if he can’t crack the starting side.

The Sharks star has set up seven tries and had 11 line break assists in his three games back from a calf injury, and his coach believes he’d do a great job for his state.

“He’s fearless,” said Fitzgibbon, who played 11 matches for the Blues.

“He works at it and he doesn’t die wondering. He gets out there and goes for it, goes for it and he doesn’t stop going for it.

“He could handle that (Origin). He’s ready for that.

“It’s not up to me to make the selections, but I’ll tell you what, he’d go down swinging.”

Hynes is no stranger to the Blues squad having spent several camps with them in the past. Picture; Paul Kane/Getty Images

Good things tend to happen around Hynes who can also play anywhere in the backline if required, which is why he should be there on May 31 for the series opener.

He’s the sort of player the Maroons would hate to play, but Hynes says his main focus right now is on helping the Sharks consolidate their place in the top eight after a mixed start to the year.

“It’s been a dream of mine forever,” he replied when asked about Origin.

“I’ve been involved in the series for the last couple of years as 18th man, so I’d love to get just one jersey number smaller so I can run onto that Origin arena, which would be awesome.

“You can’t be up for selection if you’re not playing good football for the Sharks. All I’m worried about at the moment is winning games here. We’ve got another five weeks before another rest, and I think that’s when the Origin period is.

“My name can’t be in contention if I don’t play well for the Sharks, so all I’m worried about is rocking up every single day trying to get better and winning games here.”