Sharks superstar Nicho Hynes reveals why he’s loving life away from State of Origin spotlight

In dominant form over the past month for Cronulla, Nicho Hynes has revealed how he has shifted his focus in 2025 from playing State of Origin to winning a premiership with Cronulla.

For the past four NRL seasons, I have covered in close detail the evolution of Nicho Hynes’ career at Cronulla for The Daily and Sunday Telegraph.

On Thursday, the halfback walked into training at Shark Park with one hand carrying his notepad with its pages scribbled with game plans and strategies to tackle the travelling Storm on Saturday night, while the other hand back-slapped his teammates on their way to a meeting.

While the rest of us commence the annual pilgrimage towards State of Origin, by picking teams, debating selections and turning the heat up on those Cane Toads, Hynes is like a racehorse with blinkers.

For last year’s starting NSW halfback, Origin this year - or at least his name being discussed - doesn’t exist.

“I love it,” Hynes comments.

Nicho Hynes has shifted his entire focus to Cronulla’s premiership charge. Picture: NRL Images

It takes until the 10th minute of his 12 minute press conference on Thursday, where he spoke passionately about collaborating with the exceptional Find Ya Feet workshop program to launch his own Mental Fitness Round this weekend, before a question about Origin is asked.

12-months ago, 10 of the 12-minutes were taken up by questions about Origin.

“I thought about it while driving here today because I knew I had media today and it’s just so good not to be spoken about being in contention,” Hynes said.

“And it’s a bittersweet pill because you want to be spoken about being in contention, but I think that’s been too much of a focus for me over the last two years here, wanting to be in that arena.

STATE OF ORIGIN PICKER: Select your NSW and Qld teams for Game I

“You can forgive me for that because every player wants to be in the discussion about Origin.

“And I got to do it.

“But right now I just have so much focus on myself and rocking up to be a better player for the Sharks.

“I don’t want people to think that I’m shitting on not playing for NSW, I would love to, but right now I couldn’t care if I didn’t go anywhere near Origin this year, all I want is for the Sharks to be in contention to win a premiership.

“Then the rest will come at a later date.”

In dominant form over the past month for Cronulla, securing the majority of Dally M points most recently against Manly last Sunday, Hynes has added layer upon layer to his game every week since launching the season with a 28-22 loss to Penrith in Las Vegas.

He currently sits equal second in the NRL for most try assists alongside his Storm opposite Cameron Munster with 12 and two behind Dolphins rising star Isaiya Katoa (14).

“All I care about is the Melbourne Storm this week or even more to the point training this week and being the best version of myself for the Sharks,’’ Hynes said.

Asked how he would rate his form so far this season, Hynes replied: “I’m at about 60 per cent. I’ve got so much room to grow and to get better.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be near 100 per cent because I don’t know if any player can get there unless you’re Cameron Smith or Billy Slater and that’s when they finish their careers.

“I’m hoping by the end of my career I’ve got close to that and I’ll be driving to get to that every single day.’’

So passionate is Hynes about encouraging men to speak-up about their mental health struggles, through sharing his own story of his challenging upbringing, fans often make the mistake the Sharks willingness to discuss his mental heath as a flaw when and if he falls short on the football field.

With clarity and ahead of his second instalment of Mental Fitness round, he addressed that point of view on Thursday.

Nicho Hynes is enjoying being out of Origin discussions this year. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

If you don’t have your mental space in a good capacity off the field then you won’t be able to perform on the field,’’ Hynes said.

“You might be able to do it one, two or three times, or maybe half the year, but you’re not Superman. Eventually it catches up with you.

“You always have to get your off field right, before on the field.

“Game pressure and life pressure are completely different.

“I was in Bali (earlier this year) riding a scooter home after getting dinner at midnight and there was a young kid who was asking us for money, she was about 10-years-old, that’s real life pressure.

“They don’t even know when they’re going to eat next.

“So it’s completely different. They’re asking for money for us at midnight, they should be asleep, ready for school the next day.

“That’s real pressure. Game pressure and life pressure are so different.

“I’m not waiting to kick a field goal thinking about mental health.

“I can guarantee you right now, when I run out onto that field, I’m not thinking about what is happening on the outside world.’’

Including State of Origin.

Originally published as Sharks superstar Nicho Hynes reveals why he’s loving life away from State of Origin spotlight