“Star” player furious with treatment of ex-Wigan Warriors Jackson Hastings and wants move

This week Jackson Hastings’ future was finally determined.

After just a season with the Wests Tigers, despite signing a two year deal going into 2022, he has left the club to join the Newcastle Knights for 2023.

It comes as new coach and former Hull KR boss Tim Sheens doesn’t see Hastings as his number seven adopting Luke Brooks as his first choice halfback for 2023 until they potentially bring in Mitchell Moses for 2024.

Hastings was again consigned to having to play 13 in 2023 despite the fact three of Wests Tigers’ four wins in 2022 came with Hastings in the seven jumper.

The Tigers are also looking to revamp their pack and took advantage of Newcastle Knights needing a halfback creating a swap deal which saw Hastings leave for Newcastle and the Tigers bring in prop David Klemmer.

It comes after Newcastle spent 12 months chasing brooks and were able to sign Hastings in less than 12 days.

The former Salford Red Devils and Wigan Warriors halfback has signed a three-year deal with the club.

Another interesting detail is the fact Hastings was described as “the fall guy” by some in Australia in Wests’ pursuit of Wigan Warriors star John Bateman due to the fact he and Hastings “aren’t the best of mates” again according to reports down under.

Nonetheless, the decision to move Hastings on was a divisive on especially to the Wests Tigers fan base.

It has also upset at least one member of the squad according to the Daily Telegraph who have reported that an unnamed “Wests Tigers star” has been left “furious” by the treatment of Hastings and has asked his agent to look at options at other clubs.

The identity of this “star” is unknown and whether a possible Super League switch is likely also remains unclear.