New boy Nicho keeps cool as halves hot seat role looms

Kangaroos debutant Nicho Hynes said he’s ready to steer Australia in the halves if Cameron Munster doesn’t recover in time for Saturday’s Pacific Championships match.

The 2022 Dally M Medallist has been selected to make his international debut off the bench but with Munster missing training on Wednesday due to illness, Hynes was handed the reins to train alongside Daly Cherry-Evans at the Kangaroos field session in Albury. 

Munster will be monitored by the Kangaroos this week and Hynes said he was ready for the responsibility of a starting role should a new plan of attack be on the cards.

“I filled in there because I’m the only other half in the team. I’ve played halfback all year and can cover multiple positions so just with Munny [Munster] being sick today I had to train in there,” Hynes told NRL.com in Albury.

“We’re still sticking to the plan as if Munster is right but I’ve got to be ready in all different scenarios, that’s my role and I’m looking forward to it.

This is what I’ve been working towards my whole life and I’ve got a great bunch of experienced blokes around me like Chez (Cherry Evans), Benny Hunt and I’ve played with Harry (Grant) before. 

Nicho Hynes Kangaroos debutant

"I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t ready to take that next step.”

Hynes’ career will come full circle in Melbourne if he lines up next to Cherry-Evans on Saturday, having trained with the Maroons maestro during his time playing in the junior grades for the Sea Eagles.

A late bloomer, having been handed the reins as an NRL halfback just two years ago, the 27-year-old is confident he’s up to the task if called up to guide the Kangaroos on the international stage.

“DCE has been awesome, I did my first ever NRL pre-season with him when I was 18 and I’ve been picking his brain a lot,” he said.

“I’ll continue to hang out with him and learn off him and he’s always giving advice so I’m very thankful he’s in this camp with me.

“I think a few years ago I would have been a bit shy and not barked around as much but that’s my job and that’s the role as a half, to be a leader.

“I love being the leader of my team at the Sharks so I’ve just got to come in, stick to my strengths and try and be that voice.”

Hynes has experienced the highs and lows or rugby league this year, having been selected to make his debut for New South Wales in Origin I but left to watch Game Two and Three on the sidelines.

Walking off the training paddock in Albury donning the green and gold of Australia, the Sharks star said he is grateful the rugby league rollercoaster has landed him at the Kangaroos.