Cronulla halfback Nicho Hynes has been axed from NSW's Origin squad for game two in Brisbane next week, confirming rumours the reigning Dally M Medallist would be left out in a shake-up of Blues' halves pairing with the series on the line.
The 26-year-old Wiradjuri man made his State of Origin debut with around 10 minutes remaining of Queensland's game one triumph in Adelaide on May 31, slotting into the centres for his first taste at the level after sitting on the fringes in 2022.
His late inclusion raised some eyebrows. Following the match, NSW coach Brad Fittler said the decision arose from the Hynes' versatility, forcing a wait for injury to get onto the park outside of his usual position at no.7.
It closes the door on getting a serious taste of Origin football, which had looked likely after Penrith and Blues halfback Nathan Cleary was ruled out of the remainder of the series through injury days after the opener.
Support for his promotion to the job came from potential five-eighth partner Jarome Luai, Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon, and former coach at Melbourne Craig Bellamy leading up to Fittler announcing his squad.
Bunjalung and Yuin man and Souths half Cody Walker and former-Bunny turned-Bronco Adam Reynolds (both experienced Blues) were floated alongside Hynes as potential halves options in a bid to save the series.
Hynes' poor performance in Cronulla's 54-10 loss to the Storm on Sunday dampened the argument for his spot in the side.
Later Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses stepped forward as the front-runner to join Luai, later securing his spot for his Origin return after a sole appearance in 2021.
Following his electric performance against the Bulldogs on Monday the Blues confirmed Moses in their squad the following morning.
"It wasn't an easy decision and you can only pick one. In Nicho's situation, we only picked one (halfback) because we decided to go with the two hookers," Blues selector Greg Alexander told SEN Radio.
"Freddy (Fittler) rang Nicho and that's a conversation he had to have with all the players that were left out.
"It would be one of the more difficult parts of the job, having to inform players that they are not part of it.
"You don't do things to keep everyone happy. You can't. You have to make decisions and then that's it."
Hynes looks destined to sit on the periphery of NSW representation despite a dominant stretch with the Sharks over the last two seasons.
Bolstering the Blues' attacking weapons, Latrell Mitchell has been named to return into the centres after being ruled out for game one with a calf injury in the days leading up to the opener.
Mitchell similarly sat out of the 2022 series through injury, and is set to push Stephen Crighton back to 18th man for a return to the no.3 position.
An injury cloud still hangs over Mitchell, and Souths captain Cameron Murray, with NSW reportedly allowing Rabbitohs physio into the camp to watch over their fitness tests.
The Blues are understood to have agreed with the club for Mitchell and Murray not to train until Sunday.
Mitchell, 25, will make his first appearance in the state side since 2021 next week after debuting in their 2021 series win over Queensland.
