‘I knew straight away that I could relate’: How Siosifa Talakai flipped the script to help Nicho Hynes bounce back from Origin heartbreak

It’s a good thing Siosifa Talakai doesn’t delete his phone messages because he’s helped Nicho Hynes overcome his State of Origin heartbreak.

Siosifa Talakai and Nicho Hynes will share a bond forever having helped each other get over their Origin heartbreak. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

When Nicho Hynes was struggling to handle the fallout of being dropped from the Blues squad, Sharks teammate Siosifa Talakai knew exactly what to say to him because the pair had the same conversation last year but with one major difference.

Hynes and the Sharks had to deal with State of Origin questions for months leading into the opening game in Adelaide, with the reigning Dally M Medal winner eventually selected to make his Blues debut off the bench.

Nicho Hynes was dropped after playing just 12 minutes in his Blues debut. Picture: Ben Clark

What was meant to be an unforgettable game turned into a nightmare, with Hynes brought on for the final 12 minutes to play out of position where he was exposed immediately as the Maroons raced in two late tries to steal the win.

Hynes was dropped and didn’t play a part in the final two games, which hit him hard and led to some soul-searching that he has spoken openly about throughout the season.

His experience is nothing new given the NSW bench utility spot has been cursed over the years, with Talakai going through the same thing in 2022.

The wrecking ball skyrocketed into Origin calculations after some destructive games at left centre, but he failed to make an impact in his two NSW appearances, playing a combined 40 minutes in a series the Blues eventually lost.

Hynes was 18th man for Talakai’s debut and was one of the first people to get in touch with him when he saw how the experience had dented his confidence.

It’s why the 26-year-old knew what to say when he saw Hynes was going through the same thing as he tried to process what had gone wrong in Adelaide.

Siosifa Talakai struggled with his club form after not making an impact in two games for NSW last year. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“He was actually there for me last year when I was going through a similar situation. When he came to me, I knew straight away that I could relate,” Talakai said ahead of Cronulla’s elimination final with the Roosters.

“Pretty much what he was saying to me was what I was saying back (this time).

“It’s not easy going through a rough patch like that. When you kind of keep it to yourself, you find yourself in a bit of a slump.

“Nicho being the strong man that he is, he reached out and we had a bit of a convo. We haven’t looked back since. He’s been charging forward.”

Hynes had enjoyed a charmed career prior to his Origin debut, but the scars from that night lasted longer than he expected, with the halfback struggling in back-to-back losses to the Broncos and Storm.

But Hynes and the Sharks have rediscovered their mojo, with a mindset coach, some private techniques and a chat with Talakai enough to help Hynes let go and realise that one game doesn’t define you as a player.

Talakai and Hynes have helped each other on and off the field after going through similar experiences. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“It was more about encouragement and not letting that one game define who he is as a person and a player,” Talakai said of their chat.

“Look what he’s done since he’s been at the club. He was the Dally M player and led us into the finals series last year. Even though it didn’t go too well, he still did a lot of stuff leading up to it.

“That was at the Storm as well where he was on a train and trial deal and then ended up playing fullback for a couple of games where he absolutely killed it.

“I feel like because he takes a lot of responsibility with our team, he probably felt the same in Origin.

“Origin is the biggest stage – apart from grand finals and World Cups – so the pressure is always going to be there regardless of what’s going on.

“It’s all about your perception of it. With the expectation, the perception and the environment of it, I think it weighed down on him.

“Look at him now, though. He’s come back in good form again and he’s leading us around the park very well.”

Originally published as ‘I knew straight away that I could relate’: How Siosifa Talakai flipped the script to help Nicho Hynes bounce back from Origin heartbreak