Cronulla halfback Nicho Hynes has continued pushing his case for Origin selection, declaring he wants to play five-eighth for New South Wales alongside Nathan Cleary this year.
The 26-year-old has set up seven tries and registered 11 line break assists in his three games since returning from a calf injury.
The reigning Dally M Medal recipient put together another standout performance in Friday’s 22-12 victory over the Sydney Roosters, running for 190 metres, adding a try assist and making a pair of line breaks.
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Speaking to reporters in the post-match press conference, Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said Hynes was ready to make his State of Origin debut.
“He is fearless. We keep saying it, he works at it. He goes for it and doesn‘t stop going for it. He could handle (Origin). He is ready for it,” Fitzgibbon said.
“It‘s not up to me to make the selections, but yes.
“The thing that‘s most impressive is that every day he walks in the door, he works hard. He doesn’t stop. It’s not a talent thing, obviously he is extremely talented, I’m not underestimating that part of his game, but it’s hard work and effort and he doesn’t stop trying.
“He walks in day after day after day the same. It‘s really good for the club.”
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Cleary and Panthers teammate Jarome Luai, who have won two NRL premierships together, are the incumbent Blues halves pairing, but Hynes is adamant he could be a worthwhile Origin five-eighth if given the opportunity.
“I think I’m a traditional No.6; (Cleary) likes to play on ball, I like to be on that second or third layer with a good halfback,” Hynes said, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.
“If Nathan is controlling the game, I can pop up where I’m needed and try to manipulate defensive lines.
“I feel like my strengths are icing a three-on-two, or my running game, so if he can put me in positions to get my running game on, I feel like we’d work well together.
“I’d love to play five-eighth for NSW. Jarome is the incumbent, he’s been there and done it. If (Blues coach Brad Fittler) went with him, I’d understand. But I’ll definitely put my hand up to play Origin – and I’ll be going for it.”
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Earlier this week, Newcastle legend Matty Johns called for Cleary and Luai to form the halves combination for NSW this year, citing the importance of club combinations.
However, Hynes pointed out that Queensland have found success with Melbourne’s Cameron Munster and Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans at halfback and five-eighth respectively.
“I can’t see why NSW can’t have a non-club (halves) combo,” Hynes said.
“That’s not saying Jarome isn’t good enough. He is good enough, he’s done it before, I love Jarome and I love Nathan, and I’ve got along well with them in camps.
“But I’d be silly not to say I want the No.6 jersey – I’d be silly not to fight for it. I’d love to put my hand up for it.”
Earlier this month, Munster hailed his former teammate, who recently signed a $7 million deal with the Sharks, as “the game’s best player”, and former NSW captain Paul Gallen agrees.
“If we were picking the team today, I would pick Nicho Hynes,” Gallen told 2GB’s The Continuous Call Team this weekend.
“In my opinion, he’s done enough to deserve to get picked.
“I look at last year’s series, we had a lot of Penrith players, a lot of Penrith flavour and every single one of them deserved to be picked, but I felt like we tried to play a little bit like Penrith.”
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The State of Origin series opener gets underway at Adelaide Oval on May 31, with teams to be announced on May 21 following the completion of Round 12.
“(Origin) has been a dream of mine forever,” Hynes told reporters on Friday.
“I’ve been involved in the series for the last couple of years as 18th man, so I’d love to get just one jersey number smaller so I can run onto that Origin arena, which would be awesome.
“You can’t be up for selection if you’re not playing good football for the Sharks. All I’m worried about at the moment is winning games here. We’ve got another five weeks before another rest, and I think that’s when the Origin period is.
“My name can’t be in contention if I don’t play well for the Sharks, so all I’m worried about is rocking up every single day trying to get better and winning games here.”
Cronulla will next face the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 5.30pm AEST.
