Super League sides on alert after Jackson Hastings snub

Speculation surrounding a possible Super League return for Jackson Hastings has been growing after the Newcastle Knights playmaker was dropped by head coach Adam O’Brien.

Hastings shone during his time in Super League with both Salford Red Devils and Wigan Warriors but he’s had a difficult start to the season with Newcastle, the Knights losing their opening two games.

That follows on from an end to the 2023 regular season that saw the Knights win nine games in a row to force their way into the playoffs, something that contributed to the heavy expectations for the side in 2024.

Unfortunately, for both Hastings and the club, that form hasn’t carried over and O’Brien’s squad selection seemed to pin some blame on the ex-Super League star with Hastings dropped and replaced by another former Super League man in Jack Cogger.

It has since been falsely reported that Hastings refused to train with the club’s New South Wales Cup side, for whom he is scheduled to play this week, with numerous sources rebutting that as false.

In fact, Hastings was allowed the day off by O’Brien with Hastings allowed to sit out Tuesday’s session with the first team before then being given permission to go home by Adam O’Brien.

That was revealed by Danny Weidler on LiSTN Rau radio, however, there is still plenty to unpack from Hastings being dropped, including what it means for his future with plenty of Super League sides hungry for a talented half-back.

Jackson Hastings snub triggers Super League interest?

With Hastings now resigned to playing New South Wales Cup for the Knights it begs the question of whether a player of his quality is happy to play at such a level.

The ex-Salford and Wigan man had taken to social media in the off-season noting how he had recovered and recuperated from his season-ending injury, yet two games into the season he’s unfortunately found himself dropped.

With so many Super League sides crying out for an elite playmaker then it could open the door for a team to make inquiries with the Knights also having young Will Pryce as an option to potentially replace Hastings, or be their half of the future.

For now though it’s Jack Cogger who replaces him and the ex-Huddersfield Giants man will be joined by another former Super League star in Kai Pearce-Paul, the England star making the seventeen and looking set to be named in the starting thirteen too.

The team was confirmed as such: Newcastle Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Jed Cartwright 18. Brodie Jones 19. Will Pryce 20. Mathew Croker 21. Dylan Lucas 22. Jackson Hastings