Only a year ago, Lachlan Miller would have been content just to play one NRL game. Now he’s replacing Kalyn Ponga as the Newcastle No.1.
“If you asked me 12 months ago where I thought I would be, I wouldn’t say here,” Miller told the Herald.
“I was happy just to play one game in the NRL, and from there it has pinballed. Cronulla were really nice to let me go – they didn’t have to. At my age, they could see the benefit of me coming up here and securing my future for me and my family.
“Never in a million years did I think I’d be in this position. To be thought of as an integral part of the spine is a pretty cool feeling. I want to pay the Knights back in spades for that.”
Miller is a key figure in one of the biggest positional shifts of the NRL season. After impressing during his seven NRL appearances for Cronulla, the Knights identified the former Olympian – he represented Australian in sevens rugby at the Tokyo Games – as their long-term fullback.
After weeks of negotiations, which included getting promising Knights prop Max Bradbury in return, the Sharks released Miller from the final year of his contract. It has allowed the 28-year-old to head to the Hunter in a move that allows Ponga to switch from fullback to five-eighth.
“I’ve only [just] met him [Ponga], and we’re feeling out how it’s going to work,” said Miller, part of a new-look spine that also includes Jackson Hastings and Jayden Brailey.
“Everyone knows what he can do and what a great runner of the ball he is. I’ve also seen footage of him in pre-season, and he’s just so crafty and good at manipulating defenders. If we can form a combination playing off each other, it will be a good one.”
Lachie Miller is ready to make an impact after switching from the Sharks to the Knights.Credit:NRL Photos
Despite spending much of his senior career in the rugby ranks, Miller considers himself a league man. However, the Coffs Harbour product feared the chance to fulfil his NRL dream may have passed him by until Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon offered him an opportunity. He remains grateful the Shire outfit recruited and then released him.
“I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in without him [Fitzgibbon],” Miller said. “I’m grateful he took a risk on me by signing me from rugby union. They signed me for two years, which we had to push for, but he has been so awesome throughout all [of the release talks].
“I’ve actually been in his office a fair bit asking for his advice. Throughout the whole time, I can’t fault him, he is such a good dude. I’m so thankful for him and the club letting me go in the end.”
Miller’s release came at the worst possible time for the Sharks; a day before promising fullback Kade Dykes suffered a suspected season-ending ACL injury.
Miller’s first game for the Knights will be against Cronulla when the teams face off in a pre-season challenge clash in Gosford on February 10.
“It’s funny how that happens,” Miller said. “It’s good, I may as well get it done with straight away. There will be mixed emotions.
“I have some really good friends out there; you go out to battle together, so they become your brothers.
“It will be weird; it will only be 10 days between leaving them and playing against them. At the end of the day, you have to try to go out there and beat them.”
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