Michael Maguire faces vital decision after Nicho Hynes snub ahead of State of Origin Game 2
The absence of Nicho Hynes means there is a big role up for grabs in the Blues squad.
The Blues are facing a tough dilemma ahead of their must-win Game 2 clash against the Maroons next Wednesday with the absence of Nicho Hynes leaving an important call for Michael Maguire. Hynes was dropped for Mitchell Moses ahead of Game 2, but the Sharks halfback was the kicker for the Blues.
Hynes is goal kicking at close to 92 per cent in 2024 at NRL level, but his absence will see either Zac Lomax or Moses take over the duty. With Origin's often decided by just a few points, goal kicking is extremely important. And Moses appears to be slightly in front of Lomax for the role.
Lomax is kicking at 78 per cent in 2024, which is well below Hynes' rate. Moses is sitting in front of Lomax, at 82 per cent this year, but has only had 17 attempts due to his time off injured. The other option could be Latrell Mitchell for the Blues, but he is most likely third in line having kicked at 72 per cent this season.
Winger Lomax was keen to take up the role of kicker, but admitted whoever took on the role needed to be at their best against the Maroons. "I won't say no," he said if given the role. “Whoever takes the goal kicking role, just put ‘em between the sticks, mate. They’ve got to go up in sixes. I practice whenever I can," he told The Daily Telegraph.
“I love kicking and have done it forever. Nothing would change (in Melbourne), your ritual, your pre-game, it’s not like you’re doing a different run-up, you’ve just got more people watching. It’s not like you would do anything differently.”
Moses backs Nicho Hynes after Blues setback
While Moses is thrilled to have another chance to add to his Origin legacy, he has also shared a few kind words for Hynes after the Sharks halfback was dropped for the second time as a Blues player. Last year, he was dropped after a short run at centre when he was being played out of position as the No.14 for the Blues.
And Maguire opted to drop Hynes for the returning Moses after the Blues lost to the Maroons convincingly after going down to 12 men in the early stages of the game. Unfortunately, Hynes will return to club footy after the bye round and will look to bounce back for the high-flying Sharks.
And Moses showed his class when offering the halfback a few words when admitting he felt Hynes didn't deserve to face criticism. "I'll be sure to reach out to him after this, it's unlucky," Moses said about Hynes' axing. "I feel sorry for him in that he had 12 men the whole game and he was pretty much made the scapegoat. I feel sorry for him... I get my chance and I've got to grab it with both hands."
