Newcastle Knights have recently signed former Salford Red Devils and Wigan Warriors halfback Jackson Hastings.
Speaking to Sky Sports Radio’s The Big Sports Breakfast, Newcastle Director of Rugby Peter Parr opened up on the move which saw them allow forward David Klemmer move to the Wests Tigers in a swap deal.
Parr cited a lack of expertise in the halves as the reason for their play for the former Wigan Warriors man.
This likely means Super League star Mitchell Pearce, who left the Knights in 2021 to join Catalans Dragons, as well as Hull FC’s signing of Jake Clifford likely propelled the Knights towards this move.
“Yeah we are (happy) because halfbacks and particularly good halfbacks are hard to find,” Parr said.
“We felt we were well stocked in the middle forwards. Earlier in the year the club went out and purchased Jack Hetherington and Adam Elliott. If you put those guys with the Saifiti brothers and we have got a young forward Leo Thompson, who we have got a lot of time for.
“We thought we were well covered with middle forwards and there was no doubt we were lacking some expertise in the halves, so we thought it was a good fit for us.
“The Tigers were looking for someone to sure up their middle forward rotation, so I thought in the end it worked well for everyone and we are delighted with our end of the bargain and we think Jackson will have a big impact on our club.”
Super League Disciplinary News
How the new Super League disciplinary system will work in 2025
