NRL great raises questions over Nicho Hynes after another finals flop

Cronulla’s $1m star is in the gun with calls emerging for the club to take drastic action with the “under pressure” playmaker.

Nicho Hynes is yet to deliver for the Sharks in a big game. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Star Cronulla halfback Nicho Hynes is “under pressure” to keep his spot for Friday night’s semi-final against North Queensland following another quiet finals display against the Storm according to rugby league legend Greg Alexander.

Hynes ran for just 50m and had no major attacking stats to his name as the Sharks were trounced 37-10 by the home side who completely dominated them in the second half despite running into a strong wind.

Cronulla is now 0-4 in finals with Hynes wearing the No.7 jersey.

"He can play footy but he's lacking something and that's confidence.

"Nicho is hesitant at the moment. He needs to go back to 2022 and last year and watch how he used to play."

Brandy on the struggles of @cronullasharks halfback Nicho Hynes.

Does he start this week?#NRLpic.twitter.com/rRAWZX4Rp6

— Vossy & Brandy SEN 1170AM Sydney (@VossyBrandySEN) September 15, 2024

The Sharks halfback failed to find touch from a penalty in the first half and had no space as his forwards were outplayed by their Storm rivals from the opening whistle.

Hynes is just three games back from a serious leg injury but hasn’t been playing at the same level as in 2022 when he claimed the Dally M Medal, with the halfback dropped after the State of Origin series opener this year.

Alexander says Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon must seriously consider picking Braydon Trindall and Daniel Atkinson in the halves for Friday’s match at Allianz Stadium as they look to end a seven-game losing streak in the finals.

But that would be extremely unfair on Hynes, who has been their best attacking weapon since he joined the club and just needs one or two big plays on Friday to get his confidence back.

“He’s their marquee man and their $1m player,” Alexander said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“He must be under pressure to keep his spot in the side. The performance against the Storm over the weekend (was poor).

“Braydon Trindall and Daniel Atkinson had been doing a good job as the halves pairing and then Nicho Hynes came back into the side.

Nicho Hynes struggled against the Storm. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“There now has to be serious questions about whether Hynes gets a start. I would personally go with Trindall and Atkinson.

“If Craig Fitzgibbon says to Hynes that he isn’t their man for this game, then that’s saying he has no faith in him being the man for next year or the year after that.

“Hynes can play footy but he’s lacking something and that’s confidence. He is hesitant at the moment.

“He needs to go back to 2022 and last year to watch how he used to play.”