Latest news with #Cronulla
The Age
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The Age
Is Nicho Hynes struggling or just a convenient scapegoat?
The statistics support Gallen's view, suggesting Hynes has been at worst pretty good, without approaching the dominance he displayed in 2022 when he won the Dally M Medal as the game's best player. On face value, it could be argued that, in terms of handling the ball, running and kicking, Hynes' output has been gradually decreasing since that spectacular first season in the Shire, after arriving from Melbourne. But no player in the NRL has produced more line-break assists this year than Hynes (20), while his try-assists tally (13) is only two fewer than category leader Cameron Munster. Perhaps it is a case of less is more, but also what should be factored in are the halves partners Hynes has played alongside. In his first two seasons with the Sharks, his main sidekick was the enigmatic Matt Moylan, who was quite content to play second fiddle and allow Hynes to run the show. Since Moylan's departure at the end of the 2023 season, Braydon Trindall has established himself as Cronulla's five-eighth, despite the claims of St George-Illawarra-bound Daniel Atkinson. And while Trindall wears the No.6 jersey he inherited from Moylan, his combination with Hynes is more of a 50-50 split. During the past two seasons, Trindall has handled the ball on average 48 times a game, compared to Hynes' 58. But in terms of kicking, it's clear that Trindall has become Cronulla's first option. This season Trindall leads the NRL for 40-20s (three) and field goals (two), is third on the list for attacking kicks (103) and sixth overall for metres gained from kicks. His grubbers have also forced opponents to make nine goal line dropouts, compared to one from Hynes. Moreover, Trindall has delivered 12 try assists, only one fewer than Hynes. That's 25 in tandem, the same number as Munster and Jahrome Hughes have produced for Melbourne, and one fewer than pacesetters Isaiya Katoa and Kodi Nikorima have conjured up for the Dolphins. In other words, is it too simplistic to judge Hynes by his numbers? Has the 29-year-old simply evolved and taken a step back so that the Sharks can get maximum value from Trindall? Would we be looking at them differently if they swapped numbers on their jerseys? Sharks enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake argued this week that any blame for the loss in Brisbane should be collectively shared. 'I think it's not right that Nicho wears all the punishment and all the pressure is on his shoulders,' Fonua-Blake said. 'I'm on the field, too, and I let us down on the weekend. I'll wear that. I'm pretty sure that of the 17 blokes who took the field, 17 of us would put our hands up and say we weren't good enough. 'Nicho – unrightfully so – has been the easy scapegoat over a few years, but it's on all of us to put our hands up. 'Nicho is not the only one to keep making errors and missing tackles. We've just got to get around each other – and we have – and build for a tough Storm team this week.' Gallen was of a similar view, arguing that while Hynes had some moments against Brisbane 'that weren't great', the Sharks made 13 errors and conceded seven penalties, which invited the Broncos back into the contest. 'It's just the fundamental errors,' Gallen said. 'Silly penalties. That's the issue for them. 'The difference between their best game and their worst game is too far at the moment. They've just got to narrow that gap.' Loading Gallen had no doubt his former club, which has banked eight wins this season (only four teams have more), will be involved at the business end of the season. And when they get there, Hynes' experience, cool head and class will be invaluable. 'They're still where they need to be,' he said. 'On their day, they can beat anyone, and they've shown that.
Sydney Morning Herald
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Is Nicho Hynes struggling or just a convenient scapegoat?
The statistics support Gallen's view, suggesting Hynes has been at worst pretty good, without approaching the dominance he displayed in 2022 when he won the Dally M Medal as the game's best player. On face value, it could be argued that, in terms of handling the ball, running and kicking, Hynes' output has been gradually decreasing since that spectacular first season in the Shire, after arriving from Melbourne. But no player in the NRL has produced more line-break assists this year than Hynes (20), while his try-assists tally (13) is only two fewer than category leader Cameron Munster. Perhaps it is a case of less is more, but also what should be factored in are the halves partners Hynes has played alongside. In his first two seasons with the Sharks, his main sidekick was the enigmatic Matt Moylan, who was quite content to play second fiddle and allow Hynes to run the show. Since Moylan's departure at the end of the 2023 season, Braydon Trindall has established himself as Cronulla's five-eighth, despite the claims of St George-Illawarra-bound Daniel Atkinson. And while Trindall wears the No.6 jersey he inherited from Moylan, his combination with Hynes is more of a 50-50 split. During the past two seasons, Trindall has handled the ball on average 48 times a game, compared to Hynes' 58. But in terms of kicking, it's clear that Trindall has become Cronulla's first option. This season Trindall leads the NRL for 40-20s (three) and field goals (two), is third on the list for attacking kicks (103) and sixth overall for metres gained from kicks. His grubbers have also forced opponents to make nine goal line dropouts, compared to one from Hynes. Moreover, Trindall has delivered 12 try assists, only one fewer than Hynes. That's 25 in tandem, the same number as Munster and Jahrome Hughes have produced for Melbourne, and one fewer than pacesetters Isaiya Katoa and Kodi Nikorima have conjured up for the Dolphins. In other words, is it too simplistic to judge Hynes by his numbers? Has the 29-year-old simply evolved and taken a step back so that the Sharks can get maximum value from Trindall? Would we be looking at them differently if they swapped numbers on their jerseys? Sharks enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake argued this week that any blame for the loss in Brisbane should be collectively shared. 'I think it's not right that Nicho wears all the punishment and all the pressure is on his shoulders,' Fonua-Blake said. 'I'm on the field, too, and I let us down on the weekend. I'll wear that. I'm pretty sure that of the 17 blokes who took the field, 17 of us would put our hands up and say we weren't good enough. 'Nicho – unrightfully so – has been the easy scapegoat over a few years, but it's on all of us to put our hands up. 'Nicho is not the only one to keep making errors and missing tackles. We've just got to get around each other – and we have – and build for a tough Storm team this week.' Gallen was of a similar view, arguing that while Hynes had some moments against Brisbane 'that weren't great', the Sharks made 13 errors and conceded seven penalties, which invited the Broncos back into the contest. 'It's just the fundamental errors,' Gallen said. 'Silly penalties. That's the issue for them. 'The difference between their best game and their worst game is too far at the moment. They've just got to narrow that gap.' Loading Gallen had no doubt his former club, which has banked eight wins this season (only four teams have more), will be involved at the business end of the season. And when they get there, Hynes' experience, cool head and class will be invaluable. 'They're still where they need to be,' he said. 'On their day, they can beat anyone, and they've shown that.
The Advertiser
17 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Storm's Bellamy names arch-rivals as NRL benchmark
Coach Craig Bellamy says the absorbing Canterbury-Penrith contest has set a benchmark for NRL teams if they want premiership success. Ahead of his Melbourne team's Sunday clash with Cronulla, Bellamy lauded the performance of the competition-leading Bulldogs and reigning champions Panthers who are gunning for their fifth straight title. Thursday's showdown has been described as the game of the year, with Penrith skipper Nathan Cleary steering his team to a gripping 8-6 win. "Obviously, we know what Penrith have done over the last five years and the Bulldogs have been really consistent this year," Bellamy said at the Storm's captain's run at AAMI Park. "I think that's the sort of level we all need to get to if you want to have success this year." After a shocking start to the season which saw the Panthers at the bottom of the ladder, the reigning champions have now banked their fourth straight victory. "I think they've been back for a couple of weeks," Bellamy said of Penrith's resurgence. "Obviously early they had a few injuries and that as well but, yeah, they look like they're back to their best or close to their best. "The Bulldogs have been ultra consistent this year and that's probably been the difference in why they're leading the comp, or were leading the comp." Both Bellamy and Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon are both craving more consistency from their teams. Last round, the third-placed Storm had to scramble to secure a golden point win over South Sydney while the ninth-placed Sharks let a 28-12 second-half lead slip to fall to Brisbane. The Sharks had one of their best performances of the season to win their round-11 home clash with Melbourne. "We're just up and down, up and down," Bellamy said. "We just need to keep working at it and hopefully we can get back to somewhere as we see as our best. "At times we're at our best and at times we're not so we just need to get a bit more consistent with that. "Fitz (Fitzgibbon) is probably feeling the same sort of thing." Melbourne will be without barnstorming young centre Jack Howarth, who had his appendix removed through the week. It continues an interrupted season for the 23-year-old, who was also sidelined with a dislocated shoulder, with Grant Anderson again stepping in in the centres. "He's up and about and he was here on Thursday actually, so he showed us all the cuts on his stomach," Bellamy said of Howarth, who will also miss selection for Queensland's State of Origin squad. "It's not a great time for us, but it's certainly not a great time for Jack to have this to happen as he's sort of just started to get a little bit of consistency in his game. "It's a bit of a loss to us, so hopefully he can get back, start training soon and get back on the field." Coach Craig Bellamy says the absorbing Canterbury-Penrith contest has set a benchmark for NRL teams if they want premiership success. Ahead of his Melbourne team's Sunday clash with Cronulla, Bellamy lauded the performance of the competition-leading Bulldogs and reigning champions Panthers who are gunning for their fifth straight title. Thursday's showdown has been described as the game of the year, with Penrith skipper Nathan Cleary steering his team to a gripping 8-6 win. "Obviously, we know what Penrith have done over the last five years and the Bulldogs have been really consistent this year," Bellamy said at the Storm's captain's run at AAMI Park. "I think that's the sort of level we all need to get to if you want to have success this year." After a shocking start to the season which saw the Panthers at the bottom of the ladder, the reigning champions have now banked their fourth straight victory. "I think they've been back for a couple of weeks," Bellamy said of Penrith's resurgence. "Obviously early they had a few injuries and that as well but, yeah, they look like they're back to their best or close to their best. "The Bulldogs have been ultra consistent this year and that's probably been the difference in why they're leading the comp, or were leading the comp." Both Bellamy and Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon are both craving more consistency from their teams. Last round, the third-placed Storm had to scramble to secure a golden point win over South Sydney while the ninth-placed Sharks let a 28-12 second-half lead slip to fall to Brisbane. The Sharks had one of their best performances of the season to win their round-11 home clash with Melbourne. "We're just up and down, up and down," Bellamy said. "We just need to keep working at it and hopefully we can get back to somewhere as we see as our best. "At times we're at our best and at times we're not so we just need to get a bit more consistent with that. "Fitz (Fitzgibbon) is probably feeling the same sort of thing." Melbourne will be without barnstorming young centre Jack Howarth, who had his appendix removed through the week. It continues an interrupted season for the 23-year-old, who was also sidelined with a dislocated shoulder, with Grant Anderson again stepping in in the centres. "He's up and about and he was here on Thursday actually, so he showed us all the cuts on his stomach," Bellamy said of Howarth, who will also miss selection for Queensland's State of Origin squad. "It's not a great time for us, but it's certainly not a great time for Jack to have this to happen as he's sort of just started to get a little bit of consistency in his game. "It's a bit of a loss to us, so hopefully he can get back, start training soon and get back on the field." Coach Craig Bellamy says the absorbing Canterbury-Penrith contest has set a benchmark for NRL teams if they want premiership success. Ahead of his Melbourne team's Sunday clash with Cronulla, Bellamy lauded the performance of the competition-leading Bulldogs and reigning champions Panthers who are gunning for their fifth straight title. Thursday's showdown has been described as the game of the year, with Penrith skipper Nathan Cleary steering his team to a gripping 8-6 win. "Obviously, we know what Penrith have done over the last five years and the Bulldogs have been really consistent this year," Bellamy said at the Storm's captain's run at AAMI Park. "I think that's the sort of level we all need to get to if you want to have success this year." After a shocking start to the season which saw the Panthers at the bottom of the ladder, the reigning champions have now banked their fourth straight victory. "I think they've been back for a couple of weeks," Bellamy said of Penrith's resurgence. "Obviously early they had a few injuries and that as well but, yeah, they look like they're back to their best or close to their best. "The Bulldogs have been ultra consistent this year and that's probably been the difference in why they're leading the comp, or were leading the comp." Both Bellamy and Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon are both craving more consistency from their teams. Last round, the third-placed Storm had to scramble to secure a golden point win over South Sydney while the ninth-placed Sharks let a 28-12 second-half lead slip to fall to Brisbane. The Sharks had one of their best performances of the season to win their round-11 home clash with Melbourne. "We're just up and down, up and down," Bellamy said. "We just need to keep working at it and hopefully we can get back to somewhere as we see as our best. "At times we're at our best and at times we're not so we just need to get a bit more consistent with that. "Fitz (Fitzgibbon) is probably feeling the same sort of thing." Melbourne will be without barnstorming young centre Jack Howarth, who had his appendix removed through the week. It continues an interrupted season for the 23-year-old, who was also sidelined with a dislocated shoulder, with Grant Anderson again stepping in in the centres. "He's up and about and he was here on Thursday actually, so he showed us all the cuts on his stomach," Bellamy said of Howarth, who will also miss selection for Queensland's State of Origin squad. "It's not a great time for us, but it's certainly not a great time for Jack to have this to happen as he's sort of just started to get a little bit of consistency in his game. "It's a bit of a loss to us, so hopefully he can get back, start training soon and get back on the field."
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Guess who! Makeup-free Aussie model looks unrecognisable as she steps out in Sydney
She's the Australian model that was once dubbed 'the next Elle Macpherson '. The beauty entered the world of modelling as a child, landing her first major cover at the tender age of 13. She's also graced such covers as Mexican Vogue, German Cosmo and Madame Figaro Magazine. Her talent also led her to star in reality shows The Face with Naomi Campbell and Australia's Next Top Model. Away from the camera, she is also a singer as well as a former ambassador for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. She's also a mum of one, welcoming her daughter in September 2018. Now 36, the model looked almost unrecognisable when she stepped out in Sydney on Friday. But can you guess who it is? It's none other than Cheyenne Tozzi. Cheyenne cut a very casual figure when she was spotted in her old stomping ground of Cronulla on Friday. Going makeup-free for the outing, Cheyenne sported a stoic expression after parking her car on the side of the road. Cheyenne wore an electric blue jumper with 'Beverly Hills' emblazoned across the front. She also wore a matching pair of sweat shorts that showed off the model's trim and toned legs. Adding a touch of whimsy to her ensemble, Cheyenne adorned her feet with a pair of plush hot pink slides. Back in 2022, Cheyenne revealed the reason behind walking away from modelling at the height of her fame The eye-catching footwear featured a fluffy pink strap running across the bridge of Cheyenne's foot. Her hair, left down for the outing, looked quite windswept, with Cheyenne's bangs flowing freely in the breeze as her locks cascaded freely down her shoulders. Back in 2022, Cheyenne revealed the reason behind walking away from modelling at the height of her fame. Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph at the time, Cheyenne said that she re-evaluated her priorities after her mother Yvonne was diagnosed with bowel cancer and, subsequently, multiple brain tumours. 'After mum got sick, I didn't care about the industry,' she said. Cheyenne, who had been dubbed 'the next Elle Macpherson' at the peak of her fame, added: 'People say, "She didn't make it". But I don't need to prove anything to anyone.' Cheyenne said she felt 'proud' of her decisions, as her mother's health and family will always come first. In 2013, Yvonne was also diagnosed with multiple brain tumours. The tumours were removed by neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo and, thankfully, Yvonne has since completely recovered. Cheyenne welcomed her daughter Dahlia De La Lune, in September 2018 with ex Marlon Teixeira. The couple split in 2020, with Cheyenne confirming the news to the Daily Telegraph. 'I have got Dahlia on my own. Family support is so important. I have such a loving family. We are all strong women,' she said.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Call off the Dally Ms ... the race has already been run and won
It is only June, but we should call off the Dally M race already and just hand rugby league's top gong to James Tedesco. Voting for the NRL player of the year award went behind closed doors after round 12, with Warriors playmaker Luke Metcalf leading the pack on 31 points, followed by Cronulla's Will Kennedy on 29 and Roosters skipper Tedesco on 28 points. Wests Tigers prop Terrell May (27), and Dolphins playmaker Isaiya Katoa and Broncos prop Payne Haas, both on 23, rounded out the leading group. If you look at performances since then, you can almost put a line through Kennedy, whose form the past month has dipped. Cronulla have dropped two of their past three games, Kennedy remains without a deal, and some will argue he could yet lose his No.1 jersey to Nicho Hynes. May burst out of the blocks but, while his form has remained consistent, he has also struggled to poll points in a Tigers side that has now lost five straight games. Metcalf was outstanding against the Sharks, when he would have polled a full six points, but was hampered by a corked quad in the weekend loss to Penrith. The leg issue remains a worry moving forward, starting with Saturday's trip to Suncorp Stadium where a revitalised Broncos await. Tedesco, meanwhile, is enjoying one of his best seasons in years. For all the talk about the young talent at Bondi, their 32-year-old leader is the one setting the standards for them. He is breaking tackles, scoring tries and seems to have finally found the perfect balance of when to call for the ball and when to have faith in those around him.
