Sharks star Nicho Hynes is “knocking on the door” of a Kangaroos debut according to Australian coach Mal Meninga.
Hynes initially missed out on selection but was call into the squad after Nathan Cleary pulled out due to injury.
He was 18th man for Australia’s first Pacific Championships clash with Samoa, but Meninga indicated to The Sydney Morning Herald that the versatile Hynes is in line to get some game time.
Watch every match of The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Live on Kayo Sports. Starts THU 6 OCT 7:30PM AEDT. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly >
Dragons player Amone found guilty | 00:42
The coach even revealed some of his ideas on how to use the 2022 Dally M medallist.
“He’s been really good around the camp, I’ve been pleased with how he’s handled everything, and Nicho is just a good person, which is ideal,” he said.
“He’s knocking on the door. And his versatility will come into play.
“We can play him in the centres, we can play him at fullback should ‘Teddy’ (James Tedesco) need a rest late in the game, or even in the halves if there is an injury or there’s the chance to give someone an early mark. We can even throw him into the No. 9 role.
“We’ll see how the week pans out. The good thing is he’s used to that role and fitting in anywhere.
“There are never any guarantees when it comes to team selections, but I’ll be looking to give everyone some playing time.”
MORE NRL NEWS
EXPANSION: PNG in box seat to win 18th NRL licence after rival $11m hammer blow
TEST TEAMS: NRL guns headline star-studded England squad for historic Tonga series
COP THAT: Latrell Mitchell torches former Kangaroos captain over anthem storm
ARRESTED: Tigers teenager charged with brutal murder of underworld figure
GUILTY: Dragons star Amone facing jail as details of tradie hammer attack revealed
Wigan crowned Super League champions! | 01:06
Hynes was controversially overlooked for Australia’s World Cup campaign last year after claiming the game’s top honour just a matter of weeks earlier.
He made his State of Origin debut earlier this year but was thrown into the centres in the final seven minutes of game one and missed a crucial tackle.
Meanwhile, the Herald reports Dolphins-bound prop Tom Flegler is also set to make his Kangaroos debut and Cowboys star Valentine Holmes is expected to be rushed back into the side.
Holmes missed Australia’s win over Samoa due to a one-game suspension following an off-field incident. The 19-time Kangaroo uploaded a photo to social media of himself holding a bag containing a white substance.
Australia’s next match is against New Zealand on Saturday October 28 at AAMI Park.
Discussion about this post