Hull FC star signing leaves hole in former club’s plan as they wait on Huddersfield Giants star as Director of Rugby plays down their struggles

It’s been a busy time for the Newcastle Knights.

The club completed a swap deal for former Salford Red Devils and Wigan Warriors halfback Jackson Hastings bidding farewell to forward David Klemmer in the process.

Now the club are striving to complete their 2023 halfback pairing by signing a fullback to allow Kalyn Ponga to move to the number six role.

After missing out on Wigan Warriors star Bevan French and having to wait on the arrival of Will Pryce from Huddersfield Giants who, alongside Wigan’s Kai Pearce-Paul, is widely expected to join the NRL club in 2024, the Knights have been left ruing the departure of Tex Hoy to Hull FC in 2023 as he would have filled that role until the arrival of Pryce in 2024.

The club have missed out on the likes of Reuben Garrick from the Manly Sea Eagles as they look for a new number one.

However, Director of Rugby Peter Parr has played down these struggles in an interview on Sky Sports Radio’s The Big Sports Breakfast.

“I think Adam O’Brien would like to have the option of putting Kalyn into the halves,” Parr said.

“There seems to be a lot more speculation about that outside of the club than inside.

“I think ultimately Kalyn and Adam and the coaching staff will decide where Kalyn plays, but if we could snag a fullback I think that would give Adam some options to consider.

“At the moment Kalyn is the only established fullback in the squad, so what we would like to do is potentially snag a fullback and then that would give Adam options of where he could play Kalyn and other players of course.”

Parr may be trying to play it cool and not let on to other clubs that they are looking for a fullback but it doesn’t distract from the regret the club may feel at allowing Hoy to leave as he has left a glaring hole in their plans.