Will Pryce’s NRL point to prove as he opens up on his post-Super League shock

Will Pryce insists he is determined to prove a point with Newcastle Knights as he prepares for his second season in the NRL. Moving over from Huddersfield Giants at the end of the 2023 Super League campaign, it’s fair to say that last season probably didn’t pan out as Pryce had hoped.

The 21-year-old made just five appearances for the Knights, with those outings coming in the second half of the season. He managed to catch the eye with a try on his debut, while his performances helped Adam O’Brien’s side over the line to claim a play-off place.

However, Pryce spent much of the season representing the Knights’ second string in the New South Wales Cup. He made 16 appearances for the reserve outfit and scored six tries in what was a steep learning experience for the Englishman.

He’ll be doing all he can to catch the eye of O’Brien over the coming months in pre-season training, though, and ensure that he has more of a say on the Knights’ season as they look to make strides forward in the sport’s premier competition.

“I think there’s a lot of us who have a point to prove towards the coach and the club and the fans and probably do it justice this year,” Pryce told NRL.com. “There’s a lot of us that are looking forward to the season but not looking too far ahead.

“Last year for me was a bit of a shock, I came over and I was a little bit injured so it was just getting used to the pace. I was a little bit overweight so I made sure when I had the break to look after my body and get ready for a big pre-season.

“This year, in my opinion, has been a bit tougher already and I’m really looking forward to seeing how the boys will go after this period, before Christmas and after Christmas.

“For me, it’s a bit more of a point to prove. I came over here last year and it didn’t go as planned for me and I played more games in the New South Wales Cup than I thought I would have done. I’ve got a point to prove to the fans, the coach and the boys as well. I want to gain their respect, have a good crack and be a bit more of a mainstay in that NRL team.”

He added: “I think probably as a person I’ve changed a lot. Coming over I was still a bit of boy, I’d never left home and I had to go through a lot of experiences off the field as well as on the field when I came here. I think Will Pryce a year ago would have been unsettled but now I feel settled and I’m a part of the Newcastle environment and I’m enjoying myself here.”