Former Super League stars Jackson Hastings and Will Pryce have had a training ground spat that led to the two men being separated per reports.
News of two Newcastle Knights players going at it had first been revealed last week but it’s only now that the identity of the pair has been confirmed with The Daily Telegraph revealing the identity of those involved.
The bust-up occurred during an opposed session with Newcastle trying to quell any murmurs of discontent by revealing that the incident was more of a “push and shove” with no punches thrown.
One source had told the Telegraph: “It was a push and shove but wasn’t a punch up. They were just direct with each other.”
It’s not the first instance of Hastings getting into a scrap with the former Great Britain international igniting a scrap during Newcastle’s NRL clash with Sydney Roosters last week.
Jackson Hastings separated from English talent in training ground scrap
Credit: swPix
Ex-Man of Steel winner Jackson Hastings made the move to Newcastle ahead of the 2023 season after his initial NRL return to Wests Tigers didn’t quite work out.
It’s been an up-and-down spell at Newcastle for Hastings with injury ending his maiden campaign whilst he was also dropped earlier this season after two heavy defeats.
He is now back in the team after having shone in the reserves alongside Englishman Will Pryce with whom he has now had a bust-up.
Pryce signed for the Knights alongside fellow English talent Kai Pearce-Paul with the former Wigan Warriors man having made quite the impact so far, starring in each of Newcastle’s seven NRL games this season.
As for Pryce, he’s been playing in the reserves in the New South Wales Cup meaning that he has shared the field with Jackson Hastings who registered an impressive five try assists in the game after his axing from the first team.
The Telegraph have reported that the pair are believed to have a “solid working relationship” but that didn’t prevent them from getting into it with each other during the training sessions.
Newcastle Knights’ stumbling start to 2024
Credit: Imago Images
Frustrations are understandably high at Newcastle currently with the team winning just two of their opening seven after having finished the 2023 regular season with nine consecutive wins to make the playoffs.
Since then star winger Dom Young has left and captain Kayln Ponga is sidelined long term with an injury, something that could open an opportunity for Pryce, but one that is more likely set to prevent Leigh Leopards from acquiring their target David Armstrong.
The Leopards outlined the versatile back as one of their key targets for 2024 but without a quota spot and with Newcastle unwilling to do a deal kit meant that Adrian Lam and Chris Chester missed out on the 22-year-old.
With Armstrong set to step into the frame now that Ponga is out, it seems unlikely that any deal will be done for the Leopards.
