LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In the NRL title race, Cronulla star Nicho Hynes has brushed off personal criticism, despite being labeled too nice by some and not nice enough by others. He stated, "doesn't give a rats" about the negative comments directed at him anymore.
As he heads to Melbourne for the preliminary final against the Storm at AAMI Park, Hynes is once again in the spotlight, this time for what some have called his "salty" attitude. The experienced halfback, who spent three seasons with Melbourne before joining Cronulla in 2022, has labeled the personal attacks as mere "noise."
Focusing on his teammates and coaches, he emphasized, "I just worry about what my teammates and coaches need from me and external noise is external noise - I don't see it, I don't hear it."
Hynes added, "I couldn't give a rats about what people say about me … there's nothing left they can say more about me because it's already been said."
He expressed a commitment to defending his Sharks "family," which has prompted him to become more vocal recently. Previously regarded as a media favorite for his candor regarding mental health and his advocacy for Indigenous issues, Hynes now feels strongly about standing up for his team.
"If someone disses your family I think anyone would go out of their way to say something and speak up about it," remarked the 29-year-old Wiradjuri man. "I take things personally when people try and diss my family."