Jackson Hastings latest as Leeds Rhinos rumours swirl

The rumours regarding Jackson Hastings have been plenty and speculative but a leading NRL journalist has rubbished any suggestion that the former Man of Steel winner will be moving to Leeds Rhinos for 2025.

Hastings is on a deal worth a reported $600,000 or around £300,000 which would be a fair chunk of a Super League side’s salary and rumours had begun that he was set to play at Leeds Rhinos in 2025.

They came following an initial report from The Mole that Hastings was “likely to be dropped” with Phoenix Crossland lined up to play the number seven role instead with Hastings’ Newcastle Knights having lost their last two games.

That report emerged early on Monday morning before suggestions from The Game Caller and then Andrew Voss later that night that Hastings could be heading to Leeds Rhinos for 2025.

Those accounts were initially rubbished by Rugby League Live’s Matt Shaw but have since also had cold water poured on them by Channel Nine’s Danny Weidler.

The Jackson Hastings to Leeds Rhinos rumour timeline

Jackson Hastings has been in and out of the Newcastle Knights side plenty this year and he’s also had lots of different playing partners with Adam O’Brien changing his spine up regularly.

At one point, Hastings and Will Pryce were the chosen pair but Pryce has since been dropped after a period of games despite scoring a try on debut.

Now, it seems that Hastings is to be dropped per The Mole and that is potentially what led to talk of a Leeds Rhinos move for Hastings, talk that has since been rubbished.

The Game Caller reported: “Good news for Leeds Rhinos supporters as Ian Blease looks to have secured the services of former Salford Red Devils player Jackson Hastings for next season.”

Good news for Leeds Rhinos supporters as Ian Blease looks to have secured the services of former Salford Red Devils player Jackson Hastings for next season.

The ability to work under Ian and Paul Rowley again was too good to turn down. Big statement signing after losing Rhyse… pic.twitter.com/URfhCCWk4a

— The Game Caller 🗣🎙📻 (@TheGameCaller) July 29, 2024

They also boldly claimed that it would offer Hastings a chance to play under Paul Rowley once again, suggesting the Salford boss will be switching to Headingley for 2025 despite his repeated insistence that he will see his contract out.

Shortly after that, the story was reported by legendary commentator Andrew Voss who it was claimed had ‘mail’ from the UK reporting the deal was on.

BREAKING NEWS@AndrewVossy has mail that from the UK @SuperLeague that @NRLKnights halfback Jackson Hastings will join the @leedsrhinos

MORE TO COME @SENLeague #NRL pic.twitter.com/w9kIi91Wwd

— Vossy & Brandy SEN 1170AM Sydney (@VossyBrandySEN) July 29, 2024

Vossy would later state on his radio show: “The mail that I’m getting is that Jackson Hastings has signed with the Leeds Rhinos. It might be the last time we see him in the NRL.”

Matt Shaw of Rugby League Live ‘spoiled the party’ by rubbishing the claims but now leading Australian journalist Danny Weidler has done the same.

“LATEST: There has been chat Jackson Hastings is heading to UK … been told he will not be at Leeds in 2025. There hasn’t been any conversations between either club or the player and his representation. He will be with the Knights,” the Channel Nine journalist posted.

LATEST: There has been chat Jackson Hastings is heading to UK … been told he will not be at Leeds in 2025. There hasn’t been any conversations between either club or the player and his representation. He will be with the Knights. @NRLonNine @9NewsSyd

— Danny Weidler (@Danny_Weidler) July 30, 2024