Joey puts heat on ‘really poor’ Hynes as $1m Sharks issue arises
Andrew Johns has put the blowtorch squarely on Nicho Hynes and told the halfback to stand up in the absence of superstar Cronulla teammate Braydon Trindall.
The eighth Immortal says the Sharks can’t win the premiership without Trindall, who injured his shoulder a fortnight ago and is racing the clock to make it back this season.
Nicho Hynes. Getty Images
The wily five-eighth has been one of the best players in the NRL this season and is a big reason the Shire side is once again in title contention.
But his absence has shone a spotlight on Hynes, the million-dollar star who has struggled to live up to the price tag in recent years.
Hynes moved to the Shire in 2022 and won the Dally M Medal that year, justifying his monstrous salary.
But while he is contracted to the club until the end of 2029, and reportedly still being paid $1m for every season, it is Trindall who has effectively steered the team to success in recent times.
With Trindall missing against lowly Parramatta last week, Hynes failed to register a single try assist as his Sharks lost 38-18 to the cellar dwellers.
Johns says that game proved Hynes is struggling to run the show, despite the pay cheque and the number on his back.
“The weekend showed, I really don’t know what’s wrong with them,” Johns said on Wide World of Sports’ Immortal Behaviour.
“They need more from Nicho, simple as that.
“Your marquee player, highest-paid player... I know all the talk about money, but when you’re the highest-paid player you own the result, especially if you wear the seven on your back.
“With that money comes responsibility, especially in big games.
“They need more off Nicho, he was really poor last weekend against Parramatta.”
Highlighting the Hynes concern was the fact rookie halves partner Niwhai Puru basically took the reins against the Eels.
“On the weekend Puru was the dominant half, he did a lot of the kicking. That is worrying for me,” Johns said.
“I can’t see them making a run (in the finals).”
Hynes has been rested from Saturday night’s clash with his former club Melbourne.
The Sharks are then facing an elimination final against either the Cowboys or Rabbitohs the following week.
