Former Wigan Warriors and Salford Red Devils man Jackson Hastings is reportedly set to be brought in from the cold by NRL side Newcastle Knights this week.
The half-back hasn’t made an appearance in the NRL for 11 months, with his last outing in Knights colours coming in July last year. However, according to the Daily Telegraph, Hastings will be drafted in for his first Knights outing of the year against Sydney Roosters.
The move comes with Newcastle boss Adam O’Brien short of options in the pivots due to injury and State of Origin. As such, with the likes of Jack Cogger, Fletcher Sharp and Tyson Gamble unavailable, it seems Hastings could be the next man up.
Hastings has kept himself ticking over by making 10 appearances in the New South Wales Cup this season. While he hasn’t managed to get himself over the line, he does have eight second string try assists to his name, while he has assisted nine line breaks, too.
Jackson Hastings’ NRL future in focus
With his contract expiring at the end of the current season, the 29-year-old will be determined to take his opportunity with both hands, prove his worth and earn a new deal at the Knights or elsewhere.
Hastings has long been linked with a move away from Newcastle and there has been some chatter about a return to Super League with Leeds Rhinos one of the clubs linked. However, as it stands, his future remains up in the air, meaning this could be the chance he needs to put himself in the shop window.
The half-back has been with the Knights since making the switch from Wests Tigers ahead of the 2023 season. In that time he has made 38 first-grade appearances for the club and scored seven tries.
He spent three and a half years in Super League as a younger player, where he helped Salford to an unlikely Grand Final, before making 46 appearances in the colours of Wigan Warriors. He won the Super League Man of Steel in 2019.
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