Busy Sharks half Hynes pleases Fitzgibbon

Troy Whittaker | March 1, 2022

It wasn’t Nicho Hynes’ skill on debut for Cronulla that most impressed coach Craig Fitzgibbon.

While the former Melbourne star showed his class with a beautiful short-ball try assist for Briton Nikora in Monday’s 30-6 NRL trial win over Canterbury, Fitzgibbon was taken by his productivity.

Like his time at fullback for the Storm, Hynes was constantly on the go in a solid 55-minute stint as the Sharks claimed a five-tries-to-one victory at PointsBet Stadium.

“I know everyone’s hung up on ‘can he be a half?’ or ‘can he not’ but just his work-rate around training, his work-rate around the game, he doesn’t stop playing,” Fitzgibbon said.

“Did he have some moments that he (would’ve liked to) execute better? For sure.

“But the thing I liked about it was he just doesn’t stop.”

He grew up playing in the halves, but Hynes has only worn the No.7 once in an NRL game last year.

Listening to Fitzgibbon, there appears little doubt the 25-year-old can marshal Cronulla around the field.

“He’s a real connector of the group, not only for his edge,” Fitzgibbon said.

“He takes control, he’s fearless in that regard. He won’t die wondering.

“When he communicates what he wants, he makes it loud and clear which is another good quality for him.

“We’ve got to iron out a few issues as well.”

Five-eighth Matt Moylan could’ve played against the Bulldogs but the Sharks opted to rest him until their season-opener against Canberra, with Braydon Trindall partnering Hynes and scoring a try.

Trindall is suspended for the first two rounds after a shoulder charge in last week’s trial against Penrith but the 22-year-old is set to fill a key utility role when he returns.

“He can play lock, he can play in the halves, he can play hooker,” Fitzgibbon said.

“He’s obviously a long-term future half, so I just want to keep developing his game as best we can.”