Nicho Hynes, Braydon Trindall shine as Sharks belt Raiders ahead of Las Vegas trip
Cronulla halves Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall produced clinical performances to engineer a 40-10 hammering of the Raiders in a pre-season clash on Thursday night.
Hynes, the club's million-dollar halfback, crossed for a try and set up two as Trindall, Cronulla's crafty five-eighth, scored a four-pointer and set up another.
Hynes spent some of the second half icing his right leg on the sideline, but the 2022 Dally M Medallist allayed fears when quizzed on his physical state after the match.
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"It's just a bit of a tight adductor, but I think it was the plan to play that long anyway, so I'm glad I got through that," Hynes told Fox League.
He added that his side's combinations were "still building" and said he was eager to arrive in Las Vegas, where the Sharks will kick off their premiership campaign against the Panthers on March 2 (AEDT).
Hynes and Trindall turned out for the first time this season on Thursday night, having been sidelined for last week's match against the Warriors so the less-experienced Daniel Atkinson and Niwhai Puru could bank some game time.
Nicho Hynes in Canberra. NRL Imagery
The Raiders shot out to a 10-0 lead but the Sharks hit the scoreboard on the back of a Trindall bomb, which was spilt by Canberra's Chevy Stewart as Hynes swooped and scored.
The roles were reversed when Hynes put up a high ball that was fumbled by Canberra's Jensen Taumoepeau, before Trindall pounced and dotted down.
One of Hynes' try assists saw the former Storm utility throw a slick two-man cut-out ball to Sam Stonestreet for a try on the right wing.
The Sharks' try-scorers were Hynes, Trindall, Stonestreet, Jesse Ramien, Tuku Hau Tapuha and new recruit Addin Fonua-Blake, who slipped through the Raiders' defence with such ease that it was like he was drenched with soapy water.
Braydon Trindall in action against the Raiders. NRL Imagery
Sebastian Kris and Ethan Strange scored the two Canberra tries.
Hynes indicated post-match he was in brilliant nick.
"It's the best I have felt in my career, mentally and physically," he said.
"I'm really excited for the year and had a really good pre-season. I'm really happy at the moment."
The Raiders will open their premiership campaign in a clash with the Warriors in Las Vegas on March 2 (AEDT).
