Details emerge of Jackson Hastings' furious reaction to Newcastle Knights axing

Jackson Hastings has been called out for deciding to leave Newcastle training after learning of his shock axing from the Knights' side. The halfback has paid the price for Newcastle's underwhelming 0-2 start to the NRL season, with coach Adam O'Brien deciding to replace Hastings with Panthers recruit Jack Cogger for the round three clash with Melbourne at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday evening. Hastings learnt of his fate at training on Tuesday, before leaving early after reportedly being given the choice to train with the reserve grade side. The fact the 28-year-old chose not to stay and train has divided the league world, with the panel on NRL 360 discussing the situation on Tuesday night. Veteran News Corp league reporter Dean Ritchie said he was stunned by Hastings' axing at the Knights and thought halves partner Tyson Gamble would have been the man to make way after a disappointing display in Newcastle's golden point defeat to the Cowboys. Ritchie pointed to Hastings' influence in Newcastle's 10-game winning streak and subsequent run to the finals last year and said he couldn't understand the decision to axe him after just two games.

Cashed-up club plotting 'daring raid' on Knights star

English club Salford is planning a daring raid on Newcastle to sign talented halfback Jackson Hastings.Salford has lost star Aussie halfback Brodie Croft to Leeds but will receive a massive transfer fee in compensation.The Red Devils have money to spend and set their sights on Hastings, who played the best football of his career at the club in 2018-19.The former Roosters and Manly halfback won the Man of Steel for the best player in Super League and took Salford to the 2019 grand final, which it lost to St Helens.The 27-year-old Hastings only joined the Knights this year and still has two seasons to run on his contract.But the idea of returning to the scene of his greatest triumphs may appeal to the playmaker."He has just bought a house in Newcastle and is happy there," a source close to Hastings told Wide World of Sports."There has been no approach yet but we have been hearing whispers."Jackson still has a lot of friends in Salford and fond memories of the club."So he will wait and see how it plays out if anything comes of it."

Wests Tigers' attitude problems continue

Tigers players need to have a think about their attitude too - and not just on the field.For the second straight week, the Tigers were abysmal before their own fans at Leichhardt.But it was their actions after the game that left a sour taste in my mouth.Tigers players need to have a think about their attitude too - and not just on the field.For the second straight week, the Tigers were abysmal before their own fans at Leichhardt.But it was their actions after the game that left a sour taste in my mouth.

Hastings Delights in Collaboration with Ponga at the Knights

Despite his cool and collected appearance, Kalyn Ponga is more than just "the coolest bloke in the world," according to his Newcastle teammate Jackson Hastings. As Ponga transitions to the five-eighth position in 2023, Hastings emphasizes the serious side of his colleague. Although Ponga was absent during the recent trial loss against Cronulla, Hastings emerged unscathed, adding to the few bright spots for the Knights. The duo is expected to be the club's premier halves partnership, and Hastings eagerly anticipates the opportunity to test their combination in their next trial against Parramatta. Despite his relaxed appearance, Hastings reveals that Ponga is actually a fierce competitor, determined to succeed, hiding behind his cool demeanor.

Joey plots Ponga move after Hastings signing

Legendary halfback Andrew Johns says Jackson Hastings could be the key to unlocking Kalyn Ponga's enormous potential as a top-line NRL five-eighth.Hastings, 26, was announced as Newcastle's latest signing on Wednesday, moving up the highway in a player swap with David Klemmer.While he has never been the first-choice No.7 at any of his three previous NRL clubs, Hastings will be frontrunner to start at halfback when the Knights open their 2023 season, according to Johns.Hastings was the halfback at Salford in 2019 and won the Super League's Man of Steel award as the best player in the competition."I think it's a great buy, a really good buy. I worked with Jackson years ago when I was at the Roosters, and he had so much talent," Johns told Wide World of Sports.

Wests Tigers release Jackson Hastings, admit 'not everyone will be happy' with decision

The Wests Tigers have released Jackson Hastings from the final year of his contract, with the 26-year-old signing a three-year deal with Newcastle.The Knights, meanwhile, have released front-rower David Klemmer from the final season of his deal, with the former New South Wales and Australian representative inking a three-year deal with the Tigers.Hastings joined the Tigers from Wigan this year, making 16 appearances as the club picked up the wooden spoon."As a club we are obviously not satisfied that we finished last in 2022 and tough decisions need to be made," said Tigers boss Justin Pascoe."Not everyone will be happy with some decisions we make, but we do not apologise for these decisions."Our members and fans need to understand that every decision that is made is in the best interests of this club and changing the fortunes on the field."On behalf of Wests Tigers, I would like to wish Jackson the very best with his future and thank him for his efforts over the past 12 months."Football boss Peter Parr says the signing of Hastings is a coup for the Knights."We are delighted to have Jackson secured," he said."He compliments our playing roster and adds further depth to our halves, with the additional bonus of being a competent goal kicker."Jackson is at a stage of his career where he is coming into his prime and we believe his best years are ahead of him."

Jackson Hastings' heartbreaking reveal about Wests Tigers struggles

Jackson Hastings has poured his heart out about the struggles he and his Wests Tigers teammates have been going through after a season from hell in 2022.The Tigers are rock bottom on the NRL ladder after their record-breaking 72-6 loss to the Sydney Roosters in round 23.The 66-point mauling was the heaviest defeat in the Tigers' history.Morale at the club also appears to be at rock bottom, with Tigers player Fa'amanu 'Nu' Brown this week revealing the mental toll that the Roosters defeat had taken on him.“Last weekend made me realise how hard this game is to play. Not just the physical aspect but the mental side of it too,” Nu said in a candid post on Instagram.“It was probably the first time in a long time I felt like there were little cracks into my wellbeing and mindset. People screaming at you, you suck! Voices in my own head doubting my ability. Comments saying you’re useless.“I cried that night because I let myself and my loved ones down. I think sometimes people forget that athletes are humans as well.”

Monster ban looms after NRL sent hip drop memo

There is an extra reason why the Broncos should be very worried about Patrick Carrigan's horror tackle that broke the leg of Tigers star Jackson Hastings on Saturday.Carrigan has been referred straight to the judiciary for the hip drop tackle - an indication of the seriousness of the incident.But what will cause him real concern is that only two weeks ago, the NRL warned all clubs about the dangers of hip drop tackles, in which a player is held by two tacklers and then a third player comes in around the waist and pulls him to the ground, causing major damage to legs, knees or ankles.The warning was accompanied by videos of the tackles and a clear message - stamp it out!The fact that Carrigan's tackle, which has ended Hastings' season - came so soon after the warning will ensure the judiciary clamps down hard on him as an example to all players.The Tigers, meanwhile, are fuming about the tackle, which soured their splendid upset win in Brisbane."It was a dog shot… and the referee didn't even want to do anything about it," a Tigers source told Wide World of Sports."It was only when Jackson was screaming in pain on the ground and (skipper) James Tamou abused the referee for not taking action that the Bunker got involved."

Tigers Defy Bookies

The Wests Tigers are the talk of the league after back-to-back last gasp wins with field goals. And in beating the Eels and Rabbitohs, the Tigers have set a bizarre NRL record. They became the first team in NRL history to win back to back games as double digit underdogs - defying the bookies with their gutsy performances.The return of Jackson Hastings from suspension has made all the difference and he has allowed Luke Brooks more freedom to play his own game. When you look back over the Tigers' opening seven rounds, had a couple of cruel close losses gone their way, they would be right up there in the top eight.

'Tall order' for Jackson Hastings to turn Tigers around in 2022

Tigers fans tired of coming ninth year after year wanted change in 2021 - and they got it - but not the kind of change they were hoping for. Instead of just missing the finals yet again, the Tigers had a disastrous year, culminating in the record last-round thrashing from wooden spooners Canterbury that consigned them to 13th spot. That woeful finale confirmed what many had suspected all season - that there is a rift between the playing group and coach Michael Maguire and club management.Poor recruitment for the past several years, the longest finals drought of any club in the NRL and the ill-fated behind-the-scenes documentary series on the team combined to make the Tigers something of a standing joke in the NRL in 2021.

Wigan Warriors say Jackson Hastings 'isn't going anywhere'

WESTS Tigers' desperate bid to sign Wigan star Jackson Hastings immediately is destined to fail. News broke yesterday that the Tigers were making a bid to snare Hastings ASAP following their poor start to the season and Luke Brooks' struggles in the halfback spot. But Wigan has yet to receive any request from the Tigers for a release for the former Manly and Roosters halfback - and are set to deny it if it comes. "We have already paid him a quarter of his wage for the year and he hasn't even played a game yet," a Wigan source told Wide World of Sports today. "We want Jackson to stay and at this stage, he isn't going anywhere. We haven't even heard from the Tigers." Complicating the situation is the fact that Wigan coach Adrian Lam and Hastings are managed by the same agent - Sam Ayoub. Early this morning Sydney time, Hastings put out a tweet: "Don't believe everything you read." It does seem certain that Hastings will join the Tigers in 2022, however. There is a chance Wigan will change their stance in coming weeks for this year - but only if the Tigers come up with a hefty transfer fee.