Newcastle’s star recruit Jackson Hastings has revealed some sound advice from Immortal Andrew Johns amid his mid-contract switch from the Tigers to the Knights ahead of the 2023 season.
Speaking with AAP, Hastings opened up on his move from the Tigers to the Knights where Johns made his name in rugby league and was excited for the challenge of blossoming into a well rounded halfback.
“I’m still learning,” Hastings told AAP.
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“I remember (Andrew Johns) telling me when I was 18 that the game doesn’t slow down properly for you until you’re about 27 or 28.
“I don’t think I’ll hit my peak as a halfback until age 28 or 30. With sports science these days, 30 isn’t even old.”
The 26-year-old burst onto the NRL scene at an 18-year-old with the Roosters, before moving to Manly, but left the NRL to join the Super League where he came of age.
Hastings has played 63 NRL games, but made his name in 86 Super League appearances for Salford and Wigan scoring 28 tries and winning the prestigious Man of Steel award as the competition’s best player.
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Hastings wants to use his experiences in two grand finals in England to bring a title back to the Knights, who have been starved of success since Johns last led the club to grand final glory in 2001.
“I’ve played two grand finals now (in England), I’ve been in some successful sides in the NRL,” Hastings said.
“I know what it’s like to be at the back end of the year and up the top there competing for trophies. It’s an itch you need to scratch every year. It’s where we want to get this club to.”
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Hastings is excited to join forces with Knights superstar and captain Kalyn Ponga and believes the Origin rep can get the best out of his game.
“Everyone knows what Kalyn can do,” Hastings said.
“Knowing I get to play with someone of that calibre will be amazing for my game.
“He’s a massive threat with the football and my job is to get him the ball in open space and let him do his thing.”
