Nicho Hynes experienced a brutal initiation into being New South Wales’ halfback in the State of Origin series opener as he was unable to stop Queensland’s 38-10 annihilation.
The Cronulla star had been handed the No.7 jersey after main contenders Nathan Cleary and Mitch Moses had been sidelined with long-term injuries.
New Blues mentor Michael Maguire declared his confidence in Hynes getting the job done in Sydney.
Yet the 27-year-old came up with a number of disappointing plays in attack, while he was also exposed in defence after briefly being forced into the centres amidst the chaos of Joseph Suaalii’s send-off.
It’s now back to the drawing board for the state, with Hynes’ place in the side uncertain with Moses returning from a broken foot to stake his claims to regain the Blues jersey he held last year.
Will Nicho Hynes be selected for New South Wales in Game 2? Halfback’s State of Origin future clouded
Hynes produced a costly error with one of his first touches of the footy in Game I when he kicked the ball dead to gift the visitors a seven-tackle set.
The Maroons promptly rolled down the field before Daly Cherry-Evans and Ben Hunt combined for a crafty try after tying the Blues’ ruck up in knots.
But matters then took another ugly turn when Suaalii was marched for a high shot on Reece Walsh which ruled the fullback out of the remainder of the match.
After making a small cameo in the centres last year under former mentor Brad Fittler, Hynes was suddenly thrust into a similar situation again with QLD aiming their attack squarely at him.
A nightmare five-minute spell, which saw Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow grab a quickfire double, had the playmaker in all sorts of trouble until NSW finally shifted Stephen Crichton over to the left to help stem the bleeding.
Hynes recovered somewhat in the second stanza to put up an inch-perfect kick for Zac Lomax to reel in.
Although that was the Cronulla star’s only meaningful impact for the rest of the evening as NSW were guilty of playing far too sideways within a malfunctioning attack.
A crucial battle at the MCG now awaits where the Blues will be desperate to avoid slipping to a third consecutive series loss against Billy Slater’s side.
Hynes’ place in the side has immediately come under scrutiny though after his failure to spark his side’s attack.
“Nicho was extremely competitive and he worked so hard out there,” DCE told The Sydney Morning Herald of his opposite number.
“He took his opportunities with the ball, and he obviously got put in some really unfamiliar positions as well as a defender and that’s not easy.
“I hope to see him back there doing his best because he’s earned that spot. I do have a soft spot for him. I hope he goes well and doesn’t get scapegoated or anything.”
With Cleary set to be sidelined for the whole series due to a hamstring injury, Moses is undoubtedly the main threat for Hynes.
The Parramatta halfback only returned from an extended layoff in Round 13 against the Sharks, where he reminded everyone of his ability with a starring role in his side’s victory.
Moses also has the added benefit of a great display for the Blues in last year’s series when he led the state to a win in the third and final game to avoid a whitewash.
“I won’t make any comment about someone’s game until I go back and have a look at it,” Maguire said after the Game I defeat while refusing to endorse Hynes for the Melbourne clash.
“They are a pretty disappointed change room in there and I’m not gonna talk about people’s performances. I’ll have a look at that first and then talk to them individually.
“I’ve been in this circumstance before, so I know exactly what we will do.”
Will Mitch Moses be picked ahead of Nicho Hynes for Game 2?
Cronulla made the pre-determined decision to rest Hynes after Game I as he managed a troublesome calf issue which has plagued him for months.
This gave him just one opportunity to impress Maguire and the selectors in the NRL before the second Origin clash on Wednesday, June 26.
The Sharks faced the Dolphins to open proceedings in Round 15, but Hynes had a mixed night as he struggled in defence and was unable to slot a sideline conversion after the siren as the Sharks sank to a 30-28 loss.
Attention now turns to Moses as he has one game remaining to stake his claim for the Blues jersey.
He endured a tough afternoon last week during his side’s loss to the Dogs, where he failed to guide the Eels home in the closing stages despite them having an eight-point advantage.
Trent Barrett’s men take on the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night, where Moses will be looking for a statement performance to possibly edge ahead of Hynes.
