Nicho Hynes delivered a masterclass to inspire the Cronulla Sharks to a 32-12 upset win over the Canberra Raiders, knocking the minor premiers out of the finals in straight sets.
On a cold night in Canberra, Hynes sparked the comeback with two try assists and a try before halftime, then added a penalty goal as Cronulla ran away with the game.
The Sharks targeted Canberra’s fragile right-edge defence, while Addin Fonua-Blake dominated up front and Teig Wilton sealed the result late.
The Raiders, missing Ethan Strange, saw key errors and missed chances cost them dearly, becoming the first top-ranked side since 2009 to exit without a win.
The Sharks now face Melbourne in next week’s preliminary final, though injuries to Tom Hazelton and potential charges for Toby Rudolf pose concerns.
