NSW State of Origin: Nicho Hynes, Zac Lomax, Stephen Crichton & Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to battle for goalkicking duties

With Origin I set to be a low-scoring contest, goal kicking could prove the difference. And NSW have revealed players will engage in high-powered competition to determine who picks up the tee.

Who will be the goal kicker for NSW in State of Origin Game 1 2924? Nicho Hynes, Zac Lomax, Stephen Crichton or Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

This will be the Blues’ $3m Blue Mountains shoot out.

The NSW camp has revealed four players will engage in high-powered competition to determine who assumes the vital goal kicking role next Wednesday night.

NSW has four gun goal kickers in their side – Zac Lomax, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Nicho Hynes and Stephen Crichton.

The Blues remain undecided who will take the role but privately concede all four will be given a chance to show-off their goal kicking abilities after training over the next few days.

Interestingly, former New Zealand international Daryl Halligan – one of rugby league’s greatest goal kickers – was watching Blues training at Wentworth Falls on Tuesday.

And so was injured Panthers sharpshooter, Nathan Cleary.

With predictions that Origin I will be low-scoring, both camps agree goal kicking could prove the difference.

Who will be the goal kicker for NSW in State of Origin Game 1 2924? Nicho Hynes, Zac Lomax, Stephen Crichton or Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

Lomax, Suaalii, Crichton and Hynes represent about $3m worth of rugby league talent.

Zomax has kicked 282 from 370 attempts for a career success rate of 76 per cent. Hynes has landed 269 from 343 attempts for a strike rate of 78 per cent.

And Suaalii has kicked 60 goals from 77 attempts for a strike rate of 78 per cent.

Crichton hasn’t kicked this year – Matt Burton is Canterbury’s first-string goal kicker – but landed 74 goals from 95 attempts at 78 per cent during his tenure at Penrith. He also kicked a goal in the grand final.

Perhaps a small indication over who will kick emerged on Tuesday when Crichton was withdrawn from media commitments because he stayed back after training to work on his goal kicking.

Hynes is deadly from the left side of the field and is kicking at a staggering 93 per cent this season.

Center Ryan Girdler, who kicked 27 goals for NSW between 1999 and 2001, said Hynes was the best option.

“I’d go with Nicho,” Girdler said. “He will be general play kicker as well so it’s probably a big part of his game.

“It’s really important his whole kicking game is in order. Sometimes as a goal kicker, all aspects of kicking need to come together.

“It wouldn’t feel normal to him if you strip him of the goal kicking but then expect him to go out there and do all the other kicking.

“He also has more experience in regards to his age and maturity. We’re fortunate to have that sort of goal kicking talent available.

“But I think Stephen Crichton is the best striker of the ball and he’d handle it.”

One NSW official dismissed suggestions Hynes’ chances of goal kicking would be hindered due to a calf injury.

“Nicho will be fine to play,” he said.

If fit, Hynes would be favourite to kick goals. NSW fullback Dylan Edwards also kicks goals as does 18th man Burton.

Edwards is Penrith’s back-up kicker while Burton has kicked goals for Canterbury all season.

MAGUIRE REVEALS WHY HE BENCHED ISAAH YEO

—Peter Badel

NSW coach Michael Maguire has defended Isaah Yeo’s omission from the starting side as he backed debutant lock Cameron McInnes to ignite a Blues side plotting to burn the Maroons with speed in Origin I.

Yeo has helped Penrith to three consecutive titles but the champion lock has been benched by Maguire – paving the way for McInnes to make his NSW debut in the No.13 jumper at Sydney’s Accor Stadium next Wednesday night.

A veteran of 11 Origin matches, Yeo starred in NSW’s 2021 series win and had started in eight consecutive fixtures for the Blues at lock before being relegated to the bench for Game Three last year.

Yeo was rated a frontrunner for the No.13 jumper after incumbent Cameron Murray broke down with injury, but Maguire is rolling the dice by blooding Sharks ironman McInnes at lock.

There is a view Yeo lacks speed and it is understood Maguire wants to play a flat-and-fast power game to break the Maroons, led by mobile forwards Payne Haas, Haumole Olakau’atu, Spencer Leniu and McInnes.

Isaah Yeo has been relegated to the bench for the Blues in Origin I. Picture: Getty Images

Maguire explained his decision to hand Australia’s World Cup-winning lock Yeo the No.14 jumper and is adamant McInnes is tailor-made for Origin as NSW look to deny Queensland a hat-trick of titles.

“I went with Cameron because of his understanding with Nicho Hynes (Blues halfback),” Maguire said.

“They have a really strong connection from their time together at the Sharks.

“I know Jarome (Luai, NSW five-eighth) has a good link with Isaah Yeo, but Nicho is going to be in that No.7 jersey and he is going to be guiding the team around.

“With ‘Camo’ there as our link man, and his connection with Hynes, that’s why I went that way.”

The tough-as-nails McInnes is averaging 39 tackles per game this season and Maguire believes Yeo will play a crucial support role, insisting the Panthers star won’t be wasted on interchange.

“This is nothing against Isaah Yeo,” Maguire said.

(L-R) Cronulla teammates Cam McInnes and Nicho Hynes are representing the Blues in Origin I.

“He is a wonderful player, he is a premiership winner and he can come straight on and slot into the way we play without a problem.

“Isaah can come on and jump on the back of the momentum we hope to create.

“Cameron has an important role to play. He can either push up or cover hooker for us or the halves if there’s an injury. Cam has done a bit in the halves over his time, so the fact he can fill a number of holes for us makes him so important.

“I just love his attitude. Cam is the ultimate workhorse. Everyone can see how hard he works and what he does on the field. His efforts and how he gets around the park, he is very strong defensively.

“Cam is a great Origin player. Sometimes NSW may have picked a different style of player (at lock), but I have gone for the player I want, which is someone like Cam McInnes who I have had a good relationship with for a long time.

“I actually tried to get him to the Wests Tigers when I was coaching there, but he decided to go to Cronulla.

“I’m glad for his sake that he has kicked on at the Sharks.”

‘HE DID A LOT WATCHING’: WORRYING HYNES INJURY UPDATE

—Dean Ritchie

Wearing Chicago Bulls shorts, a special and unannounced guest wandered into NSW’s first training session on Tuesday offering invaluable support and advice.

Injured Panthers star Nathan Cleary made the 50 minute journey from Penrith to watch the Blues train at Blue Mountains Grammar School in Wentworth Falls.

Cleary’s appearance came on the same day fellow halfback Nicho Hynes failed to train due to a calf injury.

Hynes was at NSW training but was only wearing joggers while Liam Martin did not participate in any high impact running.

Cleary stood on the sidelines for most of the 90 minute session watching his former teammates while talking with team manager Frank Ponissi.

Nicho Hynes (L) was reduced to playing spectator when the NSW State of Origin team trained at Leura Blue Mountains Grammar School. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“Nathan is great to have around,” said NSW forward Angus Crichton.

“He’s been a big part of this team for a number of years now. It hurts not having him playing.

“But having his knowledge and presence around the boys is great.”

Pressed on Hynes, Crichton: “He did a little bit (of training). He did a lot watching and it’s back to the physio staff now. They have a plan for him.

“If he’s right, he’ll play, if he’s not, he won’t.”

The NSW side will attend the Matilda’s match against China PR on Monday night at Accor Stadium.

Cleary’s partner, Mary Fowler, is expected to play.

Nicho Hynes not participating in full training for NSW today as he deals with a calf issue. Michael Maguire had said he expected Hynes to "hit the ground running day one".

Reported as a calf that “tightened up” & scans showed no further damage - lingering symptoms common though.

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 29, 2024

Nathan Cleary watches the NSW Blues State of Origin Team training session at Leura. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“Nathan would be obviously devastated to not be part of these Blues camps,” said NSW and Panthers winger Brian To’o added

“He is a big part of the Blue. It was good to see him.”

Crichton said standby player, fellow Rooster Luke Keary, would be ready for a late call-up should Hynes withdrew.

“’Kez’ is a pro,” Crichton said. “He’s been there in big games and won grand finals. He is ready if the call comes for him.

“I think Nicho will be sweet but if he’s not, then Keary is a pretty handy replacement.”

NSW will train again on Thursday ahead of State of Origin I in Sydney next Wednesday.

Former New Zealand international Daryl Halligan was another interested spectator at training.

Originally published as NSW State of Origin: Nicho Hynes, Zac Lomax, Stephen Crichton & Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to battle for goalkicking duties