Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien is already satisfied recruit Jackson Hastings is a “good” halfback as the previous Tiger prepares to face his outdated aspect for the primary time.
After an injury-hampered single season with Wests Tigers, Hastings was launched from the ultimate 12 months of his contract to affix the Knights which opened up halves spots on the Leichhardt membership for Luke Brooks and Adam Doueihi.
On the similar time, the Knights relinquished former State of Origin prop David Klemmer to the Tigers, though each golf equipment denied over the summer time the deal was a direct participant swap.
Semantics apart, the change may show a winner as each groups try to bounce again from disappointing 2022 seasons.
The last-placed Tigers have been toothless via the center final 12 months, whereas Newcastle cried out for an organizing playmaker as they plummeted to 14th on the ladder.
It was fullback-turned-five-eighth Kalyn Ponga who orchestrated the Knights’ two tries within the round-one loss to the Warriors, however O’Brien has seen sufficient from Hastings to really feel assured the Knights have gotten their man.
“I feel he is an ideal No.7,” the coach stated.
“He is obtained sufficient cheek, sufficient directness, understands the sport.
“That is what you need in your sevens and that is what he is given us.”
Throughout the week, Klemmer’s new Tigers teammates anticipated he would wish no further motivation to fireplace up for the conflict with Newcastle at Leichhardt Oval this Sunday.
Klemmer’s exit got here after a verbal spat with former Knights coach Hayden Knowles that led to a gathering with human sources.
However the Knights usually are not holding any grudges.
“We thank David for every part that he is achieved,” O’Brien stated.
“Not solely in his personal performances, what he was in a position to do for different gamers right here. He actually paved the way in which for these guys and his professionalism has rubbed off on a whole lot of them.
“As a enterprise resolution that the membership needed to make, we have been in want of a half. I assume the Tigers have been in want of a front-rower. It was not a private factor, it was a enterprise resolution.”
Tyson Frizell will line up for Newcastle regardless of failing his head harm evaluation early in final week’s recreation.
The second-rower has skilled effectively within the interim, passing all HIA protocols to date.
“He is obtained yet another to tick at present however so far as I do know, every part’s advantageous,” O’Brien stated.
“He’ll participate within the recreation.”
