Nicho Hynes’ $6 million deal has been called into question despite the Sharks halfback helping guide his side to the preliminary finals.
Hynes has been one of the most scrutinised players in the NRL since his shock win at the 2022 Dally M Medal.
That was his first season at Cronulla where he was given the No. 7 jersey in a move that surprised many at the time given he’d been a utility in Melbourne.
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But Hynes enjoyed the breakout of all breakout seasons to win the game’s highest individual honour and on the back of it signed a five-year extension worth around $1.1 million per season.
Despite playing for both New South Wales and Australia since signing that deal, the 28-year-old has struggled for consistency over the past two seasons and his confidence has taken a hit.
He was thoroughly outplayed by his halves partner Braydon Trindall – who earns half of Hynes’ salary – in the Sharks’ elimination final win over the Cowboys on Friday.
In the wake of that quiet performance, veteran rugby league journalist Ben Dobbin has questioned Hynes’ contract which runs until the end of 2029.
“Hynes’ long-term deal at the Sharks, there are going to have to be question marks raised over it,” Dobbin said on Triple M.
“It was almost like he just sat back (against the Cowboys). He never took a kick, the first seven kicks, Tindall kicked.
“(Hynes) stayed out of it, he wasn’t playing on both sides of the field so either he’s injured or at the moment he’s really lost his confidence.”
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Rugby League icon Steve Roach pointed out that coach Craig Fitzgibbon may have told Hynes to let Trindall pull the playmaking strings.
“It might have been instructions from Fitzy too saying ‘mate just sit back and let Trindall run everything, warm yourself into the game, don’t make any mistakes’,” Roach said.
“This is after he was rattled the week before, so maybe it’s a stroke of coaching genius.”
Journalist James Hooper said he believes it’s “a combination of both” and that Hynes’ injury had impacted his confidence.
“He had that bad ankle injury but his confidence is also down, you can see that from his body language and interviews with media during the week,” Hooper said.
“It has taken a bit of a hit and it would because it’s all encompassing the game these days, it’s 24/7, there’s so much coverage and everything is micro analysis within an inch of its existence and he has worn a lot of criticism over the course of the last couple of weeks.”
Former NRL star James Graham said Hynes tried to get into the game early defensively and slammed Dobbin’s take on his contract.
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“You could tell he was keen to get involved (in defence). He was involved in three or four of the opening tackles,” Graham said.
“For the Sharks moving forward, Dobbo you questioned the deal, he earnt that deal, when he first came from the Storm to the Sharks he was one of the best players in the competition.”
But Dobbin hit straight back.
“I understand he won the Dally M but it’s $1 million and it’s an impact on your cap. He’s got to stand up now and not being rude to him, he has to lead that side. Million-dollar players have to be the best player in their side,” he said.
Graham responded “He has to step up, of course, he knows that. But the deal was the right deal to do at the time” Hooper agreed.
“It was, he was coming off winning the Dally M Medal and there were other clubs trying to recruit Nicho. But he does need to deliver and I worry about this week. Penrith are so clinical and dominant.”
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