Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire has confirmed new recruit Jackson Hastings will start at five-eighth in Round 1.
When Hastings inked his two-year deal last April, there was a lot of speculation about where he’d fit into the line-up given halves Luke Brooks and Adam Doueihi were signed until the end of 2023.
There was talk that the 26-year-old would play lock or even fill the bench utility role after Moses Mbye’s departure.
However, Doueihi’s ACL injury in the final rounds of last season has opened up a spot in the halves.
Speaking to Triple M on Wednesday Maguire confirmed Hastings will get first shot in the No.6 jumper.
“Yeah that’s where we’re looking at him at the moment obviously with Adam Doueihi being on the sideline and Jackson’s able to play quite a number of positions,” Maguire said.
“Jacko’s being doing a great job for us in the halves but to have his versatility down the track may be a real value to us.
“He’s been really good for us, really fresh, real competitive and wants to achieve a hell of a lot in the game.
“He’s obviously had his time before but I think we’re going to see a real new Jackson Hastings with how he is and the things that he’s learnt.”
Hastings headlines an impressive list of new recruits that includes fellow ex-Super League player Oliver Gildart and Tyrone Peachey whom Maguire described as a “real character.”
Hastings made his NRL debut for the Roosters back in 2014 before he was let go after two seasons. He joined Manly but found himself on the outer and so made the move to the Super League where he claimed the Man of Steel award in his first season.
Maguire revealed that he’s been in touch with Hastings for quite some time and actually “grew attached” to the gun playmaker.
“I have had quite a number of conversations, about 12 months ago, with Jacko. I actually grew quite attached to him, his personality and he’s the complete competitor,” he said.
“Sometimes as a young bloke you can go over the top a little bit and understand who you are as a person, but I’ve seen he’s gone away and he’s learnt a lot about himself.
“I take people for who they are right now and Jacko has come in with really fresh thoughts of what he wants to achieve in the game.
“He is a complete competitor, he battles for whatever it might be, whether it’s weights or marbles. People may take that the wrong way but I actually really like that character.
“The game is about winning little moments so to have someone like him come in and be a competitive bloke like that I think it’s going to be good for the Tigers.”
Maguire was also quizzed on Brooks’ preparation after several reports claiming he’s been enjoying his best-ever pre-season.
However he batted away the question with an unexpected response.
“I might leave it at that… and let him do the talking,” Maguire said when asked about the reports.
“Everyone has an opinion around that space, but I’m really pleased with where he’s at and it’s about doing it on the field now so lets him do the talking.”
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Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire has confirmed new recruit Jackson Hastings will start at five-eighth in Round 1.
When Hastings inked his two-year deal last April, there was a lot of speculation about where he’d fit into the line-up given halves Luke Brooks and Adam Doueihi were signed until the end of 2023.
There was talk that the 26-year-old would play lock or even fill the bench utility role after Moses Mbye’s departure.
However, Doueihi’s ACL injury in the final rounds of last season has opened up a spot in the halves.
Speaking to Triple M on Wednesday Maguire confirmed Hastings will get first shot in the No.6 jumper.
“Yeah that’s where we’re looking at him at the moment obviously with Adam Doueihi being on the sideline and Jackson’s able to play quite a number of positions,” Maguire said.
“Jacko’s being doing a great job for us in the halves but to have his versatility down the track may be a real value to us.
“He’s been really good for us, really fresh, real competitive and wants to achieve a hell of a lot in the game.
“He’s obviously had his time before but I think we’re going to see a real new Jackson Hastings with how he is and the things that he’s learnt.”
Hastings headlines an impressive list of new recruits that includes fellow ex-Super League player Oliver Gildart and Tyrone Peachey whom Maguire described as a “real character.”
Hastings made his NRL debut for the Roosters back in 2014 before he was let go after two seasons. He joined Manly but found himself on the outer and so made the move to the Super League where he claimed the Man of Steel award in his first season.
Maguire revealed that he’s been in touch with Hastings for quite some time and actually “grew attached” to the gun playmaker.
“I have had quite a number of conversations, about 12 months ago, with Jacko. I actually grew quite attached to him, his personality and he’s the complete competitor,” he said.
“Sometimes as a young bloke you can go over the top a little bit and understand who you are as a person, but I’ve seen he’s gone away and he’s learnt a lot about himself.
“I take people for who they are right now and Jacko has come in with really fresh thoughts of what he wants to achieve in the game.
“He is a complete competitor, he battles for whatever it might be, whether it’s weights or marbles. People may take that the wrong way but I actually really like that character.
“The game is about winning little moments so to have someone like him come in and be a competitive bloke like that I think it’s going to be good for the Tigers.”
Maguire was also quizzed on Brooks’ preparation after several reports claiming he’s been enjoying his best-ever pre-season.
However he batted away the question with an unexpected response.
“I might leave it at that… and let him do the talking,” Maguire said when asked about the reports.
“Everyone has an opinion around that space, but I’m really pleased with where he’s at and it’s about doing it on the field now so lets him do the talking.”
No great surprise. It’s the best option we have at the moment. Hope he kills it.
Anyone know where to listen to the interview? Not on Tigers website and I can’t find it on triple m
Anyone know where to listen to the interview? Not on Tigers website and I can’t find it on triple m
Here you go
2nd one down..
https://www.triplem.com.au/shows/the-rush-hour-with-gus-jude-wendell
Good article and once again a lot of positive reports about Hastings. Can’t be all fluff surely!
I like his response about Brooks. My glass half full outlook tells me he is indeed killing it with Jacko by his side and may surprise quite a few this year. My fingers and toes are 🤞🏽
Anyone know where to listen to the interview? Not on Tigers website and I can’t find it on triple m
Here you go
2nd one down..
https://www.triplem.com.au/shows/the-rush-hour-with-gus-jude-wendell
Thanks!
Wouldn’t you be telling the players the trials will determine final positions?
Maybe this has been half our trouble in recent years - guys being ‘guaranteed’ positions.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Wouldn’t you be telling the players the trials will determine final positions?
Maybe this has been half our trouble in recent years - guys being ‘guaranteed’ positions.
Agree for the majority of positions
But I think the spine is critical to lock in a build around it. The spine positions are the most important and usually the highest paid players and should pick themselves.
Unless you are really undecided of who is playing in the spine - which probably isn't the best position.
Also - in the interview he doesn't guarantee Hastungs the 6 role, just days he'll start the season there. He said when AD returns we'll see how things go then
Top 8 2023
I want to see our spine settled in the trials.
These guys need to have more than just half a game together before the comp starts.
Guys like Madden should only be getting a short run at the end of the trials
I want to see our spine settled in the trials.
These guys need to have more than just half a game together before the comp starts.
Guys like Madden should only be getting a short run at the end of the trials
Doubt they'll be settled in the trials. That's what trials are for, to try different combinations and to give some of the 2nd tier players an opportunity to play at the higher level before the comp actually starts.
Wouldn’t you be telling the players the trials will determine final positions?
Maybe this has been half our trouble in recent years - guys being ‘guaranteed’ positions.
Two ways of looking at it in my opinion ...your way and I totally agree depending on what Hastings persona is ..but if he thinks backing Hastings will actually help him be more confident and take it in his stride more readily .....
Looking at Hastings with his NRL past ...maybe he needs a little love ...he has any many haters as he does likers ....
And of any player this season in Tangerine ,Black and White ...he needs to be be big ...huge in fact ...along with Brooks
I want to see our spine settled in the trials.
These guys need to have more than just half a game together before the comp starts.
Guys like Madden should only be getting a short run at the end of the trials
Doubt they'll be settled in the trials. That's what trials are for, to try different combinations and to give some of the 2nd tier players an opportunity to play at the higher level before the comp actually starts.
Madge got you starting after your massive pre season ???
You even went to the trouble of finding ,cleaning and polishing your boots
@helmesy …lack of talent has and is our problem. You can have the best coaches, best facilities etc..but without the required talent you will struggle. This year will be the same as every year, some early season promising performances, than the mid season grind hit us and we fall in a heap. Having four major injuries certainly will not help our cause either.
