Nicho Hynes was all smiles at Sharks training on Monday, even copping a huge shot from fullback Will Kennedy as the star playmaker looks to bounce back in his first game since being left out of the Blues squad for game 2.
The former Dally M Medal winner was replaced by Mitch Moses in the No.7 jersey for the must-win match in Melbourne, with Hynes one of several changes after the Blues were belted 38-10 in the series opener after they were reduced to 12 men.
Hynes has the perfect chance to respond on Friday night when the Sharks take on the Bulldogs, with his teammates confident he’ll be fine after also being dropped by the Blues 12 months ago.
“I actually don’t mind. I’m licking my lips hoping that Queensland get the job done,” Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo said.
“He’s back here for us, and that’s all that matters. Life doesn’t revolve around getting picked in a Blues jersey. There are so many harder things in life.
“He gets paid to come in and play footy, throw a ball around and hang out with his best mates. That’s the best thing about life.
“You’ve got to look at it in different ways, and I’m sure he is at the moment. Life is good for him, and I enjoy seeing him getting smashed out here (by Will) on the training paddock. It’s about time he took a carry and hardened up a bit.
“He’s happy and he’s back to himself. I think he learnt a lot of lessons from last year, so it’s not affecting him.”
Teammate Siosifa Talakai knows the pain of being dropped from the Origin arena, and he’s backing his side’s “leader” to handle the decision and move on quickly for his club side.
“It’s a big stage. There’s a lot of pressure riding on each and every player,” he said.
“Going through a similar situation to Nicho, if I had my time again, then I’d try to make amends. But if it doesn’t happen, then so what? Life goes on and you just keep chipping away.
“He’s a grown man, so I’m not going to try to act like his dad. He knows what to do.”
The Sharks are fresh after last week’s bye and are keen to hit back after they were punished for a slow start against the Dolphins where they fell behind 22-0 after 25 minutes and then came back to almost send the game into golden point.
It’s not the first time they’ve missed the jump this season, but coach Craig Fitzgibbon has drilled home the importance of starting well against a Bulldogs side that is fighting for a spot in the finals.
“Fitzy keeps pulling his no hair out thinking about it. He’s like ‘why don’t you come out and start like that’?” Mulitalo said, with back-rower Teig Wilton training on Monday and expected to return from a shoulder injury.
“It’s disappointing, but it’s something we can change as a playing group. We can’t just sit around, lick our wounds and say we’ll be better next week.
“We’ve gotten away with it a few times this year, but it’d be nice to start in front rather than being behind and chasing our tails.”