Nicho Hynes

Nicho Hynes

Personal information
Born	(1996-06-18) 18 June 1996 (age 28) Gosford, New South Wales, Australia
Height	188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	90 kg (14 st 2 lb)
Playing information
Position	Halfback, Fullback
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2019–21 Melbourne Storm 36 10 62 0 164 2022– Cronulla Sharks 64 13 227 6 512 Total 100 23 289 6 676 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2022–24 Indigenous All Stars 3 1 5 0 14 2023–24 New South Wales 2 0 1 0 2 2023 Prime Minister's XIII 1 0 0 0 0 2023 Australia 2 0 0 0 0
Source: [1] As of 28 September 2024

Nicholas Michael Hynes (born 18 June 1996) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a halfback for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League (NRL).

He previously played as a fullback for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL.

Early life

Hynes was born in Gosford, New South Wales, Australia and is of Indigenous Australian Wiradjuri descent and Scottish descent. ^{[2] [3]}

Hynes grew up on the Central Coast of New South Wales and was educated at Brisbane Water Secondary College, Central Coast.

He played his junior rugby league for the Umina Beach Bunnies and Woy Woy Roosters, ^[4] before signing with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. ^[5]

Playing career

Early career

Hynes was signed by the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles NRL Under-20s team in 2015, ^[5] before spending the next two seasons (2017–18) with the Mackay Cutters, where he played 42 Queensland Cup matches. He was also taking part in a teacher aide job at a Mackay primary school at the time.

Melbourne Storm (2019-2021)

First-grade debut and premiership season (2019-20)

Hynes while playing with the Melbourne Storm

In 2019, Hynes signed with the Melbourne Storm transferring to their feeder club Sunshine Coast Falcons to continue playing in the Queensland Cup. ^[6]

On 11 August 2019, Hynes made his NRL debut for the Melbourne Storm against South Sydney. He made his debut in his hometown in front of family and friends at Central Coast Stadium. He had his Melbourne jersey (cap number 198) presented to him by his older brother Wade Hynes. ^[7]

Following the cancellation of the 2020 Queensland Cup, Hynes played 11 NRL matches in a utility role, mostly from the interchange bench, signing a further one year contract extension in September 2020. ^[8]

Hynes was named on the bench in the Storm's 26–20 NRL Grand Final win over the Penrith Panthers. ^[9] On this day, he wrote his name in the history books as the first player in the NRL Era to be selected in a grand final but not play a single minute. Records therefore show he was not credited for appearing in the match. ^[10] The last time a team used less than 17 players in a grand final was the 1994 NSWRL Grand Final, when the victorious Canberra Raiders chose not to use two of their four substitutes.

Shift into the starting fullback role with more playing time, final season in Melbourne (2021)

On 1 June 2021, it was announced Hynes would be leaving the Melbourne club at the end of the 2021 NRL season to link up with Cronulla-Sutherland, with a view to shift into the halves & rebuild the club around him. ^[11] After a solid start to the season for the Melbourne Storm, Hynes was named in the extended NSW Blues side for game 3 of the 2021 State of Origin series. ^[12]

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (2022-)

Elevation to one of the league's top superstars, Dally M Medal Winner (2022)

In round 1 of the 2022 NRL season, Hynes made his club debut for Cronulla-Sutherland in their 24-19 loss against Canberra. ^[13] In round 2, Hynes kicked the winning conversion for Cronulla after the full time siren to defeat Parramatta 18-16. ^[14] On 29 May, Hynes was selected as 18th man by New South Wales in game one of the 2022 State of Origin series, but did not play. ^[15] In round 20, Hynes kicked a field goal in golden point extra-time to win the match 21-20 over South Sydney. ^[16] In round 23, Hynes starred for Cronulla scoring two tries in a 40-6 victory over Manly in the battle of the beaches game. ^[17] Hynes capped off his first season at the Sharks receiving the Dally M Medal and the Provan-Summons Medal on 28 September. ^{[18] [19]}

Top 3 in Dally M Medal voting, representative football debut for NSW and Australia (2023)

In round 4 of the 2023 NRL season, Hynes made his return for Cronulla in their 40-8 victory over rivals St. George Illawarra after being injured in the opening rounds. ^[20] On 6 April 2023, Hynes signed a five-year contract extension to remain at Cronulla until the end of the 2029 season. ^[21] In round 9 of the 2023 NRL season, Hynes scored one try and kicked eight goals as Cronulla defeated North Queensland 44-6. Hynes was awarded with the inaugural Paul Green medal following the game. ^[22] On 22 May, Hynes was selected by New South Wales for game one of the 2023 State of Origin series. ^[23] On 12 June 2023, it was announced that Hynes had not been selected by New South Wales for game two of the 2023 State of Origin series. ^[24] Hynes played a total of 21 games for Cronulla in the 2023 NRL season as Cronulla finished sixth on the table. Hynes played in the clubs 13-12 upset loss against the Sydney Roosters which ended their season. ^[25] On 26 May 2024, Hynes was named at halfback for New South Wales ahead of the 2024 State of Origin series. ^[26] On 16 June, Hynes was informed by New South Wales head coach Michael Maguire that his services would not be required for game two of the 2024 State of Origin series following The Blues 38-10 loss in game one. ^[27] On 11 July, it was announced that Hynes would miss eight weeks with a leg injury which he sustained in a training drill before Cronulla's round 19 game against the Wests Tigers. ^[28] Hynes played 18 games for Cronulla in the 2024 NRL season as the club finished 4th on the table and qualified for the finals. Hynes played in all three of Cronulla's finals matches including their preliminary final loss against Penrith. ^[29]

Honours

Club

• 2020 NRL Grand Final Winners
• 2021 Minor Premiership Winners

Individual

• 2022 Dally M Medal Winner
• 2022 Provan-Summons Medal Winner
• 2023 Provan-Summons Medal Winner

Statistics

NRL

^{[1] [30]}

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts
2019	Melbourne Storm	1	0	0	—	0	0
2020		11	3	4	100.00%	0	20
2021		24	7	58	75.36%	0	144
2022	Cronulla-Sutherland	25	6	83	74.11%	4	194
2023		21	5	83	79.05%	1	187
2024		18	2	61	93.18%	1	131
2025
Career totals		100	24	288	78.42%	6	674

All Star

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts
2022	Indigenous All Stars	1	0	0/2	—	0	0
Career totals		1	0	0.00%	—	0	0

References

1. "Nicho Hynes - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project" . Retrieved 1 May 2021.
2. "Addo-Carr, Hynes and Lee on Indigenous Round". Melbourne Storm. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
3. Walter, Brad (23 March 2022). "League of nations:Stars representing 40 countries". NRL.com.
4. "Local League star recognised off the field". Coast Community News. 29 July 2021.
5. Campton, Nick (11 May 2023). "Nicho Hynes's journey to NRL superstardom to come full circle when he faces Manly Sea Eagles". abc.net.au. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
6. "Official Intrust Super Cup profile of Nicholas Hynes for Sunshine Coast Falcons". qrl.com.au. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
7. McDonald, Margie (11 August 2019). "Hynes sight: New kid Nicho impresses Storm on debut". NRL.com. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
8. O’Lachlan, Liam. "Melbourne Storm re-sign Darryn Schonig, Ryley Jacks and Nicho Hynes for 2021 season". Sporting News. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
9. "NRL & NRLW grand final squad announcements". NRL.com. 25 October 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
10. McDonald, Margie (26 October 2020). "No go for Nicho but his time will come, says Papenhuyzen". NRL.com. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
11. "Sharks win race to Nicho Hynes signature". NRL.com. June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
12. Gibbs, Tom (10 July 2021). "From NRL bench to NSW Blue: Hynes' incredible journey". melbournestorm.com.au. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
13. "Brisbane Broncos beat South Sydney Rabbitohs 11-4, Canberra pips Cronulla 24-19 in NRL's opening round". ABC News. 11 March 2022.
14. "Nicho Hynes tribute to mate after Cronulla beat Parramatta". www.foxsports.com au. 19 March 2022.
15. "Wighton starts at centre as Blues confirm lineup for Game One". www.nrl.com.
16. "Cool Hynes ices golden point epic; Latrell's mixed bag as Souths rue missed chances: 3 Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au.
17. "Roosters, Eels and Sharks add pre-finals drubbings to one-sided round of NRL". www.abc.net.au.
18. Hynes takes to the stage to collect Dally M Medal , retrieved 28 September 2022
19. Hynes claims NRL Provan-Summons Award , retrieved 28 September 2022
20. "Cronulla thrashes St George Illawarra 40-8 as Newcastle, Warriors enjoy NRL victories". www.abc.net.au.
21. "Nicho Hynes contract: Cronulla Sharks halfback signs long-term deal". www.sportingnews.com.
22. "Cronulla Sharks dominate North Queensland Cowboys 44-6 to move into NRL top four". www.abc.net.au.
23. "Graham ruled out for Blues, trio to debut as Fittler makes 'gamble'". www.nrl.com.
24. "NSW Blues name State of Origin side for game two, with Mitchell Moses and Damien Cook in for Nathan Cleary and Api Koroisau". www.abc.net.au.
25. "Sydney Roosters score 'wild' 13-12 NRL elimination final win over Cronulla Sharks, Penrith Panthers beat Warriors". www.abc.net.au.
26. "Blues name six rookies, new captain for Origin opener". www.nrl.com.
27. "Maroons pick Walsh as Mitchell gets Blues recall". www.theguardian.com.
28. "Hynes set for lengthy sideline stint as horror extent of leg injury revealed". www.foxsports.com.au.
29. "The Mole's end of season review: Awkward Sharks puzzle laid bare after $1m star 'lost his way'". www.nine.com.au.
30. "Official NRL profile of Nicholas Hynes for Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | NRL.com". National Rugby League. Retrieved 26 March 2024.

External links

• Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks profile