The Sharks are set to stick solid with Nicho Hynes at halfback despite conjecture they might drop him to the bench to allow Daniel Atkinson to start at halfback.
Hynes has been below his best since returning from injury and has a 57 per cent win rate with the Sharks this season, while Atkinson has won 67 per cent of his games in the No.7 jersey.
However, Phil Rothfield revealed on NRL 360 that the Sharks won’t shift Hynes for their do or die semi-final against the Cowboys on Friday night.
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“There is absolutely no chance they will drop him,” Rothfield said on NRL 360.
“They won’t put him on the bench or at fullback. They are going to stick with him.
“Having said that I so respect Brandy’s opinion. He has been there and done that and he is entitled to say what he did say.
“But Craig Fitzgibbon is a very loyal man and while Nicho hasn’t played anywhere near to justify his million dollar a year pay packet, they are going to stick solid.”
However, Gorden Tallis believes the Sharks should go with the best combination to win against the Cowboys.
“You can be loyal and you can be stupid,” Tallis said.
“I reckon they were a better side with Atkinson there. They were, they were winning. Why do we dance around it.
“Take the money away and you have got to ask what is best for the team.”
However, Brent Read believes it is too late in the season to drop Hynes from the chief playmaker role.
“You can’t drop Nicho now, it is too late in the season to do it,” Read said.
“I think he is still their best hope of going deep in the finals.”
Meanwhile, the Roosters need to decide if a backline overhaul is required to make a deep finals run, with Joey Manu begging for more opportunities with the ball.
Meanwhile, the Sharks face a backline dilemma of their own given the form of Nicho Hynes, while Cronulla and Manly are sweating on some stars returning from injury.
Read on for the Team Tips for the semi-finals.
Cowboys runaway late to KO Knights | 03:04
SEMI-FINALS
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 20
Sharks vs Cowboys at Allianz Stadium, 7.50pm AEST
Last week’s Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 17. Siosifa Talakai 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jack Williams 16. Royce Hunt 22. Thomas Hazelton. 18th man: 19. Chris Veaila
Team Tips: Centre Jesse Ramien is racing the clock to return from an ankle injury. “Depends how he heals but he’d be a good chance I reckon,” coach Craig Fitzgibbon said in his press conference. If Ramien is fit Siosifa Talakai would likely shift back to the bench with Royce Hunt or Jack Williams making way. Nicho Hynes was poor against the Storm, with Fitzgibbon needing to work out if benching him for Daniel Atkinson is the way forward given the form of the two playmakers of late. Atkinson has been a revelation in the halves, while Hynes’ form has dipped since he was injured after the Origin series. Prop Tom Hazelton overcame a minor knee issue to play 29 minutes against the Storm and will likely hold his place on the bench. Winger Sione Katoa suffered a hip injury but finished the game. He could be in doubt depending on how he pulls up. It is unclear when Mawene Hiroti (knee) will return, while Jesse Colquhoun (knee) and Kade Dykes (knee) won’t be back until 2025.
Fitzy admits Sharks must earn ‘respect’ | 05:23
Last week’s Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame. 18th man: 20. Thomas Mikaele
Team Tips: Coach Todd Payten said second-rower Jeremiah Nanai ‘has a bit of ice on a couple of parts of his body’ but he said he is ‘looking forward to going to Sydney next week with a healthy squad.’ However, Coen Hess (knee), Jake Granville (pectoral) Zac Laybutt (knee) and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (Achilles) all won’t be back this season.
Crucial Cotter call clinches lead! | 00:47
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 21
Sydney Roosters vs Manly Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium, 7.50pm AEST
Last week’s Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sandon Smith 13. Nat Butcher 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Terrell May 8. Spencer Leniu 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Siua Wong. 18th man: 18. Michael Jennings
Team Tips: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is set to return from suspension at prop with Spencer Leniu shifting to the bench. Leniu was benched for Nat Butcher last week, but the challenge for Trent Robinson is to get the best out of his enforcer after a quiet game against Penrith. Butcher will likely shift back to lock and Terrell May will switch to the bench with Zach Dockar-Clay making way after failing to get on the field in the qualifying final. However, Sandon Smith is in danger of being dropped after he missed 11 tackles against the Panthers, with Luke Keary a chance to shift to halfback and Joey Manu to slot in at five-eighth. That could mean Michael Jennings, who was 18th man last week coming into the centres. Smith could yet nab a bench role and play dummyhalf in tandem with Connor Watson. Junior Pauga and rugby convert Mark Nawaqanitawase could come into consideration after both Daniel Tupou and Dom Young were poor against the Panthers. Victor Radley hasn’t given up hope of a return from a shoulder injury, but will likely have to hope the Roosters make it to the preliminary final or even the Grand Final. Sam Walker (knee), Brandon Smith (knee) and Egan Butcher (knee) all won’t return until 2025.
Robbo SPRAYS refs after “wrong” call | 04:52
Last week’s Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Tommy Talau 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Karl Lawton 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Ben Trbojevic 15. Josh Aloiai 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown 18th Man: 18. Clayton Faulalo
Team Tips: Tom Trbojevic made a successful return from a shoulder injury, but Anthony Seibold said he would require needles to get through to the end of the season. Trbojevic was also hampered by a knee injury that restricted his movement against the Bulldogs, but is expected to soldier on. Winger Jason Saab remains a 50-50 proposition for the semi-final, with Lehi Hopoate likely to make way if he is ruled out. Ethan Bullemor escaped suspension for a high tackle on Stephen Crichton and will pay a $750 fee with an early guilty plea or $1000 if he challenges it at the judiciary and loses. Aaron Schoupp (shoulder) and Jake Arthur (foot) won’t be back this season.
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