NSW Blues star Nicho Hynes reveals family motivation ahead of State of Origin debut in Adelaide

Blues debutant Nicho Hynes has revealed it’s been great having his mother home after she narrowly avoided jail time for heroin supply – as he gears up to honour a 14-year long promise at Origin.

Hynes, 26, will be making his start for New South Wales in next week’s series opener in Adelaide – but the last few months have been some of the toughest of his life.

The Cronulla star’s mother Julie was released from prison a couple of weeks ago and allowed to serve a two-year sentence in the community after being convicted of knowingly taking part in the supply of drugs.

Hynes hopes his mother, who now lives with him, will be able to ‘reshape her life’.

‘It’s just good to go home and give Mum a cuddle good night,’ he told the Herald.

Hynes hopes his mother, who now lives with him, will be able to ‘reshape her life’

‘When we had that first week at home together, we’d sit there and watch movies like I did when I was a kid.’

Hynes isn’t sure if Julie will be travelling to Adelaide for his debut in the most-watched sporting event in Australia – but he will certainly be thinking about his family when he takes the field.

When the reigning Dally M Player of The Year was just 12, he made an emotional promise to a family member that he wants to fulfill. 

‘His grandfather was his favourite,’ Hynes’ father Mick told News Corp.

‘Pa’, who lived in Newcastle, would come and watch him play whenever he could.

‘At the funeral, Nicho asked if I minded if he came up and made a speech.

‘He stood there and said, when I run out for NSW in State of Origin one day, I’ll be looking up at the sky, looking at you Pa.

‘He always had that dream. I can’t believe it today, that he’s got there. I’m the proudest dad in Australia, I reckon.’

When Hynes was just 12, he made an emotional pledge to his grandfather who had recently passed away – and promised that he would think of him when he played Origin

Hynes says he will look to the sky as he takes the field in Adelaide on Wednesday night

Mick was with Hynes when his son revealed he had been chosen to represent the Blues.

He, Nicho’s older brother Wade and Leesa (Nicho’s step-mum) will be in Adelaide for the match on Wednesday night.

‘It was pretty emotional, when Nicho told us he’d made the side,’ Mick said.

‘It was a great feeling.

‘I told Leesa the news and then said hopefully he remembers what he said that day and he looks up and says I’ve done it Pa.’