New Reds fullback Hynes to help Chambers - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

New Reds fullback Hynes to help Chambers

By Jim Morton 27/01/2010 07:52:47 PM Comments (0)

Wallabies winger Peter Hynes will play a major role in aiding Melbourne Storm recruit Will Chambers' code switch after being anointed as Queensland's 2010 fullback.

New Reds coach Ewen McKenzie has tapped into Hynes' 73-cap experience by naming him at No.15 and vice-captain for Friday night's Super 14 trial match against the Crusaders at Ballymore.

The 27-year-old has also been given the special job of seeing former schoolboy representative Chambers eases back into rugby union after his three years with the Storm.

The NRL premiership three-quarter, who has been training in the centres and wing, will make his Reds debut at outside centre.

While Chambers is no certainty to gain a starting berth for the Super 14 opener against NSW on February 13, both McKenzie and Hynes on Wednesday praised his work ethic and talent.

"He's showing great promise," McKenzie said.

"(But) you won't get a harder hit-out than this for your first game in rugby union for a while so I'll be interested in how he goes."

Hynes added: "He's a big guy, hard runner and runs really subtle good lines and I think that's something that will be hugely beneficial to us."

Hynes will play his first match of the year along with Test halfback Will Genia, and forwards Sean Hardman and Daniel Braid against a Crusaders line-up missing Richie McCaw and Dan Carter.

The 22-Test winger gains the fullback jersey ahead of speedster Luke Morahan in a strong indicator he'll take the custodian's job 12 months after missing the chance to become Chris Latham's successor.

While Hynes didn't feel comfortable there in a loss to the Bulls in the 2009 competition opener, he feels far more prepared after strong pre-season preparations.

McKenzie likes the fact he can use his most experienced back in an overseeing role from behind the line.

"That fullback role is a great position to organise some of the guys like Will Chambers," he said.

"He can talk to him in behind him there and give him some feedback how he's going with his positional aspects."

McKenzie dismissed concerns Hynes' move to fullback would destabilise his hold on the Wallabies wing spot he held through the failed Grand Slam tour.

"Peter's a very experience player and these days back three (players) interchange during the game so I don't see it as being a risk there at all, far from it, I see it as a positive," he said.

With skipper James Horwill again rested with fellow Wallaby Digby Ioane, young prop Ben Daley retains the captaincy duties after leading Queensland to a 26-24 win over NSW in Lismore.

Daley's emergence as a young leader adds extra pressure to former Wallabies loose-head Greg Holmes (ribs) who is racing to be fit for the final trial against the Western Force on February 5.

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