NRL legend Cooper Cronk has declared Nicho Hynes “hasn’t achieved anything yet” despite the Cronulla Sharks star silencing some of his critics on Saturday night. Hynes was phenomenal as the Sharks ended the Raiders’ season with a 32-12 win in Canberra.
The million-dollar halfback scored a try and had a try-assist, as well as a line-break and three line-break assists. Hynes carved up the Raiders in the second half to knock out the minor premiers in straight-sets – the first time that’s occurred since 2009.
Nicho Hynes (R) stood up when it counted, while Billy Burns (far left) and Toby Rudolf are free to play the preliminary final. Image: Getty
The 29-year-old is often a lightning rod for criticism when the Sharks aren’t performing, and has copped the brunt of the blame when Cronulla have failed to fire in previous finals appearances. The majority of pundits are singing his praises after back-to-back starring performances against the Roosters and Raiders to send his side into the preliminary final against the Melbourne Storm.
But speaking on Fox League after Saturday night’s game, Cronk said the true test will come against the mighty Storm. “At the end of the day this is just one game,” Cronk said. “Unless the Sharks go on to make the grand final we’ll still be talking about how the Sharks have failed to deliver in the finals. Ultimately Hynes and the Sharks haven’t achieved anything yet.”
Cooper Cronk reckons Nicho Hynes hasn’t proven anything just yet. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Toby Rudolf and Billy Burns free to play preliminary final
The Sharks received a timely boost on Sunday morning as Toby Rudolf and Billy Burns escaped with fines for incidents that threatened to rule them out of the prelim. Rudolf hit Joseph Tapine with a high shot that split the Canberra captain’s nose, while Burns made dangerous contact on Raiders winger Jed Stuart.
Both incidents were assessed as grade-one by the match review committee, resulting in $1000 fines for both players. It’s a huge sigh of relief for Cronulla, with Burns and Rudolf instrumental members of their forward pack. Burns has been so important that Briton Nikora has been forced to start on the bench rather than in his usual role as an 80-minute second-rower.
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Craig Fitzgibbon full of praise for Nicho Hynes
Speaking on Saturday night, Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon was full of praise for halves Hynes and Braydon Trindall. “He has got to get credit for that because he doesn’t get much,” Fitzgibbon said of Hynes.
“He’s had a strong season, but in one week it’s ‘Tricky’ (Trindall) and the other week it’s Nicho, but it’s just pleasing to see both of them play well together. That’s the most important thing for us.”
The only dampener was a head knock to prop Tom Hazelton, which was ruled a Cat-1 that will rule him out of the prelim. Oregon Kaufusi looms as the man likely to come in, and Fitzgibbon is bullish about his side’s chances of toppling the Storm in Melbourne on Friday night.
“The boys are hungry and they’re making the right choices and decisions,” Fitzgibbon said. “We’ve been together for that period of time now that it’s time for us to stand up or we’re going to make some changes. We play in Melbourne, that’s a challenge, but we’re ready for that.”
with AAP