Nicho Hynes is set to put his 12 minutes on the NSW bench behind him when he makes his reserve debut for Australia against New Zealand.
Nicho Hynes says he is better equipped for his Australian Test debut as a substitute than for his difficult 12-minute foray into State of Origin this year.
Hynes has been selected as one of two debutants for Mal Meninga’s Australian squad to face New Zealand at the Pacific Championship in Melbourne on Saturday, with Brisbane’s Tom Flegler also in the squad.
Hynes’ Kangaroos debut will cap a tumultuous year for the Cronulla star, who made his debut for NSW in June but was dropped after one game when he was brought on at midfield in the final 12 minutes.
Playing out of position, Hynes missed a tackle before the Queensland try.
Blues coach Brad Fittler was heavily criticized for using the Dally M medal in 2022.
The Sharks star’s club form plummeted over the next month, with Hynes later admitting that this match and the Origin ax affected his confidence.
But after being named on the Australian bench this time, Hynes said he was given a much clearer plan.
“I understand my role much better this time,” he told AAP.
“With all due respect to the NSW camp. I will come in well-equipped to playing this role.
“Mal’s been in this position before with similar players like Michael Morgan, (Cooper) Cronk, ‘Chez’ (Daly Cherry-Evans) did it too off the bench.
“We have a plan, we’ve trained it already and now it’s a case of going out and nailing it.”
Hynes has previously come off the bench in his time at Melbourne, adding spark in the middle for the Storm when brought on the field.
“I’ve done this before, and getting thrown out there with 10 minutes to go in an Origin game doesn’t define what my capabilities are as a utility off the bench,” Hynes said.
“I have been there and done that before, so I won’t let that one thing define me in the era.
“I’m a much more confident and mature player than I was six months ago.”
Hynes’ debut at AAMI Park was in line with his time in Melbourne, as was the fact he learned of his selection while at camp in Albury, where the Storm have camped during the epidemic.
“Last time in Albury I fought my way into the last 17 for the Storm, and now I’m preparing for my first game against Australia,” Hynes said.
“Let’s go for a walk early and carefully think about what happened in the past few years.”
Valentine Holmes also returned to Australia after a one-match suspension for posing with a bag of white powder, selected on the wing in place of Selwyn Cobbo.
Props Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui have also been rested, with Australia guaranteed to face the Kiwis in the November 5 final in Hamilton.
Meanwhile, the Jillaroos also made a number of changes to their squad for the second match against New Zealand in Melbourne on Saturday, with North Queensland winger Jakiya Whitfeld set to make his debut, along with Julia Robinson is absent.
Lauren Brown will start at hooker, while Cowboys number nine Emma Manzelmann will make her debut on the bench.
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