Melbourne Storm utility Nicho Hynes has admitted he wants a starting spot despite being stuck behind both Ryan Papenhuyzen and Cameron Munster.
The 24-year-old came to the Storm in 2019 after a stint in the Queensland Cup for the Sunshine Coast Falcons and has been the club’s second choice fullback since arrival.
Hynes has appeared sporadically throughout his time at the Storm but started last Sunday against New Zealand with Papenhuyzen missing with a shoulder injury.
The ball playing fullback also has experience in the halves and it is believed that he could find a starting spot in the one, six or seven position at another NRL club.
As a result, Hynes was asked if he sees himself as a starter at first-grade level on SEN 1170’s Drive with Joel and Fletch.
“Yeah definitely, I’ve been asked this a bit lately,” Hynes explained.
“It is a good place to be, and I love this joint, it’s made me the player I am.
“But I feel I’m almost ready to test myself out, run my own team, start every week and make a name for myself.
“Being at this club, I love being here but being stuck behind those three great players (Papenhuyzen, Munster and Jahrome Hughes) who are in my preferred positions, I can’t be stuck behind them forever.
“I do want to test myself, so hopefully that does happen (at the Storm), but if I do have to stay here then it’s not a bad thing either.”
With his ability to play multiple roles, Hynes was asked where exactly he’d like to line up if he had his choice.
“In the Storm system fullback suits me because I like to ball play and I like to pop up on either side of the field,” Hynes said.
“But I’m happy to play the six as well, I like to get my hands on the ball as early as I can instead of being third receiver like I do get sometimes at the Storm.
“I’d take a six or one jersey, I don’t really mind either way.”
With Papenhuyzen potentially set to miss another two weeks Hynes will line up at starting fullback when Melbourne face Cronulla at AAMI Park on Friday night.
Listen to the full chat below.