Nicho Hynes

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Nicho Hynes (Nicholas Michael Hynes) is an Australian rugby league player who plays as a halfback and can also fill in at fullback for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the NRL. He also represents Australia at international level. Hynes was born on 18 June 1996 in Gosford, New South Wales, and he is of Indigenous Australian and Scottish descent. He grew up on the Central Coast, played juniors for Umina Beach Bunnies and Woy Woy Roosters, spent time with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the under-20s, and later played for the Mackay Cutters while working as a teacher aide.

Early life
- Born in Gosford, NSW, on 18 June 1996.
- Indigenous Australian with Scottish descent.
- Grew up on the Central Coast and attended Brisbane Water Secondary College.
- Junior clubs: Umina Beach Bunnies and Woy Woy Roosters.
- Signed with Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and later played for Mackay Cutters in the Queensland Cup while also working as a teacher aide.

Playing career
Melbourne Storm (2019–2021)
- Made his NRL debut on 11 August 2019 for Melbourne Storm against South Sydney at Central Coast Stadium.
- Spent time with the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Cup.
- After the 2020 Queensland Cup season was canceled, he played 11 NRL games that year and extended his Storm contract.
- Was on the bench for Melbourne’s 2020 NRL Grand Final win over Penrith but did not play.
- In 2021, he began shifting into the halves and announced his move away from Melbourne to Cronulla to take a bigger playmaking role.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (2022–present)
- Debuted for Cronulla in round 1 of the 2022 season against Canberra.
- In round 2, kicked the winning conversion after full time to defeat Parramatta.
- Selected as 18th man for New South Wales in game one of the 2022 State of Origin series but did not play.
- Notable 2022 moments include kicking a golden-point field goal to beat South Sydney in round 20 and scoring two tries in a win over Manly in round 23.
- Won the Dally M Medal and the Provan-Summons Medal in 2022.
- 2023 season: played 21 games as Cronulla finished sixth; signed a five-year extension to stay with Cronulla through 2029.
- In 2023, earned a Paul Green Medal after a standout performance against North Queensland in round 9 and was selected for New South Wales in state of origin game 1 (May 2023). He played 21 games that season before Cronulla’s finals exit.
- 2024: named in New South Wales’ State of Origin squad for game 1, but was not selected for game 2 after a decisive loss in game 1. In July, he suffered a leg injury ruling him out for about eight weeks. Cronulla finished 4th in 2024 and reached the finals, including a preliminary final loss to Penrith.
- 2025 season: played 27 games for Cronulla as they finished 5th and reached the preliminary final.

Representative honours
- State of Origin: Selected for New South Wales in 2022 and 2023, including game 1 in 2023; he did not play in game 2 in 2023.
- Indigenous All Stars, Prime Minister’s XIII and Australia: Has represented at various levels, including Australia at the international level.

Honours
Club
- 2020 NRL Grand Final winners (Melbourne Storm)
- 2021 Minor Premiership winners (Melbourne Storm)

Individual
- 2022 Dally M Medal winner
- 2022 Provan-Summons Medal winner
- 2023 Provan-Summons Medal winner

Statistics (NRL)
- Career totals: 123 matches, 30 tries, 372 goals, 870 points (as recorded through the 2025 season)
- Height: 188 cm; Weight: 90 kg
- Primary positions: Halfback, also plays as fullback when needed

Nicho Hynes is known for his playmaking ability, versatility, and improved control in the halves, making him one of the top stars in the NRL with Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.