“If it’s the right club I will definitely take it” – Hastings sets sights on NRL return

Reigning Man of Steel Jackson Hastings has said he would be “silly no to look at it” if an NRL club came in for him.

Hastings was released by Manly Sea Eagles in June 2018 after a well-publicised bust-up and signed for Salford Red Devils a month later.

He took to Super League straight away and was the competition’s standout player in 2019 as Salford made it to the grand final.

The 24-year-old signed with Super League big-hitters Wigan ahead of this season but the two-year contract includes an NRL get-out clause, something Hastings was keen to stress in an interview with Fox League.

Will we see Jackson Hastings back in the NRL?

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“My biggest thing when I come over was to hurry back (to Australia) and I wanted to prove everyone wrong with everything I achieved here,” he said.

“A few people have been in contact with my management and I don’t want to go back and be a role player and be in the same situation I was [before] at this stage of my life.

“I am a way better player than what I was. I’m at a much higher stage of rugby league than when I was last over there (in Australia).

“If the opportunity does arise and it’s the right club I will definitely take it I think. It’s definitely something I want to do, the NRL is the pinnacle.

“It’s a competition I didn’t get to prove myself in and no one saw the best of Jackson Hastings, whereas people over here (in England) get to sort of see that.

“At the end of the day I have got to honour my contract but at the same time if the right club comes in and it sorts of fits, then I would be silly not to look at it.”