Former Wigan Warriors star and Man of Steel Jackson Hastings has taken to social media, just a week after he was dropped by his team, Newcastle Knights.
The 28-year-old enjoyed an excellent spell in Super League, winning Man of Steel in 2019 as a Salford player, whilst also playing in back-to-back Grand Finals, for Salford and Wigan Warriors, losing both to St Helens.
However, the Knights had a tough start to the NRL season this year, finding themselves bottom of the table after the first two rounds.
Hastings had, last week, chosen not to train with the reserve team, following being dropped by head coach Adam O’Brien for NRL Round Three.
Despite this, in a NSW Cup game against North Sydney Bears, Hastings had five try assists, and the Knights won 50-24.
The NSW Cup is contested by reserve teams, and is seen as a feeder to the NRL.
Jack Cogger replaced him in the NRL side, and it looks to have paid off, with Newcastle getting their first win of the season against Melbourne Storm on Sunday.
Cogger played in the World Club Challenge and NRL Grand Final in 2023 for Penrith Panthers.
Speculation ran rampant when he was dropped, with many suggesting a return to Super League could be on the cards, and that he must be incredibly unhappy at the club.
However, on X (formerly Twitter), Jackson Hastings quoted highlights of the reserve game he played, saying: “Had a blast out there with some great young lads, roll on next week.”
Had a blast out there with some great young lads, roll on next week.
— Jackson Hastings (@JackoHastings) March 24, 2024
He has since been named in the New South Wales Cup side again and will therefore continue to feature along the young Knights, which is certainly promising to see, especially so soon after it seemed that his time with the Knights could be heading to an unsavoury end.
