LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a true testament to their outstanding performances on the field, Sharks warriors Nicho Hynes and Cameron McInnes have been bestowed with the honor of representing NSW in the upcoming State of Origin I clash at Accor Stadium on June 5.
Hynes, dubbed the maestro of the No.7 jersey, will be orchestrating plays alongside Penrith's own Jarome Luai in the halves, while McInnes, the heart and soul of the team, will be making his well-deserved debut for the Blues in the lock position.
Despite a bit of a scare with a calf issue, Hynes has been given the green light by the Blues selectors to take on the mighty Queenslanders in the series opener.
The inclusion of Roosters' ace Luke Keary in the squad provides some insurance in case of any last-minute hiccups.
The dynamic duo of Hynes and McInnes have been instrumental in the Sharks' meteoric rise to the top of the NRL ladder after 12 grueling rounds, earning high praise from the newly appointed Blues coach, Michael Maguire.
While Hynes may have only a single Origin cap to his name, his brief cameo last year showed glimpses of his potential in the representative arena.
A further feather in his cap was earning his first Australian jersey in the 2023 Pacific Championships, which seems to have propelled him to new heights this season.
As the rugby league season heats up, all eyes will be on Hynes and McInnes as they don the sky blue and take on the marauding Maroons in a battle that is sure to be filled with twists and turns, hits and misses, and moments of pure sporting brilliance.