Hynes looked a shattered man on the sidelines, which was not helped by his side getting thumped 42-0 by a Luai-led Panthers.
Luai was close to the Panthers’ best in a losing side against the Warriors for Magic Round. He looked more than comfortable moving into the halfback role for Nathan Cleary.
James Fisher-Harris scores a try.Credit: Getty
And he was in the thick of everything at PointsBet Stadium, terrorising Sione Katoa with his kicking game early, forever barking orders at teammates, and scoring a try when stepping off his left foot. He looks like someone playing with confidence and at peace with his own game.
You almost have to laugh at how unlucky Maguire and the Blues have been when you consider Cleary, Mitch Moses (foot), Adam Reynolds (biceps) and Hynes – the side’s first, second, third and fourth halfback options for Origin – are all unavailable.
But Luai will not care about that if he’s chosen to face Queensland, and with a point to prove after being dropped for Origin III last year.
Jarome Luai was in superb form against the Sharks.Credit: Getty
Luai was meant to partner Hynes in the halves. Matt Burton looms as the likely No.6 option given South Sydney’s Cody Walker missed Saturday’s clash with the Eels.
Maguire could also select Luke Keary, who is a right-footer and an experienced campaigner with nothing to lose in his last year in the game.
With Luai almost certain to play halfback, it could bring fellow Panther Dylan Edwards back into the race for the fullback spot.
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Maguire was giving nothing away before kick-off. Plenty of rumours were swirling on Saturday afternoon, including talk Reece Robson had got the nod over Api Koroisau, and Tom Hazelton was an outside chance of a call-up.
Incumbent Blues back-rower Liam Martin failed to return after half-time due to hamstring tightness, but expects to be fit to play in Origin I.
The Sharks’ loss was almost as bad as their round-two flogging against an upbeat Wests Tigers.
That night they were out-enthused. On Saturday, Cronulla were outclassed. It was all over by half-time when Jack Cole kicked and, somehow, regathered for himself to make it 28-0.
If the Sharks faithful were ever entitled to boo their own side at half-time, this was it. But they resisted.
As for Katoa being targeted, maybe it had something to do with Penrith coach Ivan Cleary spotting him receiving treatment for a leg injury during the warm-up.
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