St Helens playmaker Tristan Sailor has given new signing Jackson Hastings a rave review, explaining just how the former Man of Steel will impact the club across a variety of ways.
One such way is what it means specifically for Sailor in terms of where he plays as the 27-year-old was moved around plenty in his debut season, starting at six before then shifting to the wing, full-back and even spending some time at hooker.
He has once again been handed the number six shirt and that’s where Paul Rowley started him this past weekend against Castleford Tigers, however, Sailor has now explained that with Hastings in command, the one and six positions are near interchangeable.
Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside about his best position, Sailor explained:”I think my whole career, I’ve always floated between positions and one and six have been those positions and I think in today’s game, they are quite similar.
“As I said, with the way we’re playing Jacko is the seven. I was very comfortable at one but I think with Jacko here, six is the same (as one). We both attack as full-backs realistically.”
How Jackson Hastings will boost St Helens
Sailor wouldn’t commit to where he will play, adding that he was ‘not too phased‘, however, he did state that new coach Paul Rowley wants consistency in his spine.
On nailing down a position, Sailor said: “I think (that is possible) because Rowls has been clear from day one that he doesn’t want too much shuffling. You get your position then it’s on you to be consistent and keep that position, so that’s my main goal.”
The likely landing spot for the Australian would be at six alongside Hastings as the seven with Sailor very clear on what the former Man of Steel has brought to that role and how it can transform St Helens’ attack.
He explained: “Jacko is probably going to be the biggest thing for Jack Welsby and myself because his job is to guide the team around and kick the ball, which frees Jack and me up to do what we do best, which is run the ball and create plays.
“It’s what we were searching for last year whereas Jonny is very similar to Jack and I, he’s come through as a full-back and he’s been a six so to have someone who is a born dominant seven, which is what Jacko is, I think will really free us up.”
Young Saints stars tipped for big influence
Another player who Hastings will be massive for is young half George Whitby, who did earn some game time last year but ended the season on loan with Halifax Panthers.
Sailor argued that the value of someone like Jackson Hastings for George Whitby will be huge, stating: “George has all the physical attributes to be a great great player for a long time and what Jacko is going to help him get is the demeanour and understanding of a dominant seven in a team.
“A dominant seven has to throw people around, he has to tell people what to do and as a young 18-year-old, that’s something that George is going to get a lot out of by following what Jacko does.
“That’s going to be so important for George but also for us as a team.”
Another young player to get talked up by Sailor was centre Harry Robertson with the Australian predicting that Robertson will once again be crowned Super League Young Player of the Year with fellow Saint Jack Welsby the last player to win the award in consecutive years.
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