Ex-Wigan Warriors star Jackson Hastings in blow ahead of new season

Jackson Hastings will not play in Wests Tigers’ trial game with the Manly Sea Eagles this weekend.

That’s a big blow for the former Wigan Warriors and Salford Red Devils halfback who has impressed since returning to the NRL with the Tigers.

Hastings was spotted in a moon boot last week and has been unable to train fully during a Central Coast training camp.

“Jacko will play next week [against the Roosters],” Maguire told the West Australian. “He’s had a really good pre-season. He had a cortisone injection last week; they normally say it takes five days [to recover], but the longer you can give them the better.

“He’s really keen to play. With Jacko out, we’ll give Jock Madden and a few others a go [in the halves].”

Head coach Michael Maguire is set to name Hastings as his number 6 for round one, making it an incredible journey for Hastings and a superb transformation in just four years.

“Yeah that’s where we’re looking at him at the moment obviously with Adam Doueihi being on the sideline and Jackson’s able to play quite a number of positions,” Maguire told Triple M.

“Jacko’s being doing a great job for us in the halves but to have his versatility down the track may be a real value to us.

“He’s been really good for us, really fresh, real competitive and wants to achieve a hell of a lot in the game.

“He’s obviously had his time before but I think we’re going to see a real new Jackson Hastings with how he is and the things that he’s learnt.”

A Super League move towards the back end of the 2018 season, after being cut away from the Manly Sea Eagles, kickstarted a rejuvenation of the halfback’s career.

Winning the Man of Steel with the Salford Red Devils in 2019 certainly helped his stock rise as he helped the once-lowly club reach the Grand Final – likewise with the high-flying Wigan Warriors a year later.

And, Super League fans will be watching with eager eyes as Hastings makes his NRL return in 2022.