Matty Johns clips Broncos over Nicho Hynes ‘faux pas’

Rugby league great Matty Johns has singled out the Broncos as the biggest losers in the frenzy surrounding Nicho Hynes.

Matty Johns dropping bombs.

Rugby league great Matty Johns has given the Broncos a bake over the failed recruitment plot to snare Storm marvel Nicho Hynes’ signature.

Brisbane was reported to be the clear favourite to sign the out-of-contract star after a series of reports made them the most visible of the reported six clubs chasing the 24-year-old.

Instead, the club has had to endure another let down after Hynes surprised the game by officially announcing his decision to sign with the Sharks on a three-year-deal, through to the end of the 2024 season.

His announcement came just days after it was revealed the Warriors had also tabled a rich contract.

The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie told Sky Sports Radio Wednesday the Storm, Broncos, Sharks, Warriors, Raiders and Cowboys were all in the race to sign Hynes.

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Johns, however, singled out the Broncos for letting another signature slip through their fingers.

The club has been under fire this year for losing rising star Reece Walsh to the Warriors, allowing halfback Tom Dearden to walk to the Cowboys and failing to hold onto Roosters playmaker Sam Walker as a developing talent. They also lost superstar forward David Fifita to the Titans last year.

Nicho Hynes came from out of nowhere to set the NRL on fire this season.

The clubs is also set to farewell playmaker Anthony Milford at the end of the season, while fullback Jamayne Isaako and forward Tevita Pangai Jr have held talks with Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire. The club is also reportedly attempting to negotiate the release of forward Matt Lodge.

“I’m surprised the Broncos didn’t land him. It’s another faux pas from them,” Johns told SEN Breakfast.

“If I was the Broncos I would have come out and said here’s 650-700 and lets go. Instead they’ve let him slip though their fingers and Cronulla have snapped him up.

“It’s a good payday for him, and he’s going to be a guaranteed starter. He’s such a great young bloke, he’s had real challenges in his life.”

It comes after The Daily Telegraph reported the Sharks pulled off the recruitment masterstroke by offering $1.8 million over three years.

This is reported to have trumped the Broncos’ low-ball offer of just $1 million over three years.

Hynes said just two weeks ago he was yet to see an offer from the Broncos, despite swirling reports.

Nicho Hynes has had it on a string.

Hynes has been in terrific form for Craig Bellamy’s side this season, and is coming off the back of a superhuman performance against the Broncos where he made three line breaks, ran for 214 metres, put up two try assists, kicked six from seven attempts on goal as well as a try to boot.

Melbourne Storm released a statement on Tuesday evening, with their General Manager of Football Frank Ponissi commenting that while the side would have loved Hynes on their books a little while longer, it ultimately wasn’t feasible.

With Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen locked in, at the Storm, the club had no space in the salary cap to match the rich offers from rival clubs.

Ponissi said: “We would have loved to have been in a position to extend Nicho’s time with Storm, but unfortunately, with his desire for a regular starting spot and the pressures of the salary cap, that hasn’t been possible.”

Hynes, who can operate as a fullback or five-eighth, has filled in for injured speedster Papenhuyzen and has shown he is one of the best fullbacks in the competition right now.

However, the impressive form of Sharks fullback Will Kennedy means Hynes will move to five-eighth for Cronulla next year.

He is expected to partner either Shaun Johnson or Matt Moylan in the halves with both players out of contract this season. The Sharks have also lost Chad Townsend for 2022.