Former Super League star Jackson Hastings made countless big gestures whilst playing for Wigan Warriors and Salford Red Devils – and it’s no different for him on his return to the NRL.
The halfback has been a revelation for Wests Tigers on his return after almost four years in Super League, and it’s now being reported by the Daily Telegraph that Hastings went to extraordinary lengths to show support for his underfire coach Michael Maguire.
The Tigers have lost their opening three games of the season, but Hastings paid for his own flight to the Gold Coast after Wests rejected a request from Maguire to have Hastings and Adam Doueihi join the team in Queensland.
That was rejected because the club’s hierarchy believed it would upset other sidelined stars if just Hastings and Doueihi flew with the team.
Maguire had hoped two of his best players would sit beside him in the coach’s box on Thursday night.
But the Tigers management refused due to concerns that it may send the wrong message by flying two players to the Gold Coast and leaving other squad members in Sydney.
However, Hastings showed his true commitment to the cause by using his own money to fly out there himself so he could still give Maguire guidance by his side.