Nicho Hynes has become the latest NSW Blues player to fall foul of an injury after failing to emerge for the second half of Cronulla’s clash with Penrith with a calf issue.

The halfback, who almost certainly would have been selected by Michael Maguire, left late in the first half for a HIA after collecting a knee from Isaah Yeo, and while he passed the concussion test, he was unable to return due to a calf complaint.

The Sharks did not risk Hynes given they were trailing 28-0, and he has been managed through an ongoing problem all year. With squads due to be selected tomorrow, Maguire must now make a call – and has been clear throughout the build-up that he will not select players who cannot fully participate in training.

Madge was watching on from the grandstand at Shark Park and would have been dismayed to have seen another key figure go down at such a crucial juncture.

Nathan Cleary is already confirmed out after tearing a hamstring and Mitch Moses, who deputised last year, hasn’t played in months with a foot injury.

Hynes would have been the next man up after a stellar start to the season. Cody Walker, the most obvious replacement, is already out of South Sydney’s clash with Parramatta late on, also with a calf issue.

The silver lining was the performance of Jarome Luai. Wearing the 7 for Penrith, he dominated the first half and rocketed himself in contention to play halfback for NSW.