Why Cam Smith still has question marks over Hynes’ ability to step up in Origin

Melbourne Storm legend Cameron Smith has revealed he still has some doubt over his former teammate, Nicho Hynes in the Origin arena.

Hynes has been one of the best players in the NRL since leaving Melbourne for the Cronulla Sharks in 2021 but has been unable to make his mark on the representative level of the game.

Stuck behind Nathan Cleary, Hynes has been forced to settle for either a utility role or as the NSW Blues 18th man, both of which have proven to be unsuccessful experiments as of yet.

Hynes made his Origin debut in Game I of the 2023 Series as a utility off the bench but was thrown into unfamiliar territory in the centres.

Queensland went on to score down his side and eventually win the game, leading to him being exiled from the squad for the rest of the series. But now, with Cleary ruled out for the series, Hynes has emerged as a prime candidate to make his starting debut for Michael Maguire’s side.

Despite his sensational regular season form, his one appearance in Origin and relatively disappointing finals track record with the Sharks have many pundits worried about his ability to step up in the big games.

“I still have a question on Nicho to make that step up,” Smith said on SEN 1170 The Captain’s Run.

“He’s only had the one opportunity, now I know he got thrown out in the centres and he was a part of that run of play where (Cameron) Munster made that linebreak and the Hammer went down field and Queensland scored.

“I’ve seen over the period of time that I’ve followed footy and played State of Origin, that you can be one of the better players in the NRL competition, but State of Origin is a different game.”

Hynes was named the Dally M Medallist in 2022 on the back of an extraordinary regular season but has struggled to translate his form into the next level, losing his first four finals games with the Sharks.

“Some guys, they just can’t make the step to the next level, as a former teammate, I’d love to see Nicho Hynes prove a lot of people wrong but the jury is still out on whether he can play in that arena at that level,” Smith continued.

“There’s no doubt he’s a high-quality NRL player, he’s one of the best halves in the comp, he’s won the Dally M but until you go into that arena and dominate… like people are still talking about Nathan Cleary not (dominating) an Origin series yet.

“Nicho has only had that really brief opportunity at that level, he’s yet to be given the reigns of the football side, of that state.”

The 2024 Origin series kicks off at Accor Stadium in Sydney as the Blues host the Maroons on Wednesday, June 5th.