Knights confirm playmaker's long-awaited NRL return
Newcastle have finally turned to Jackson Hastings in the fight for their NRL season, with the out-of-favour half set to face another returning playmaker in Sam Walker in his comeback game.
Off-contract Hastings appeared to have played his last game for the Knights when he was unable to crack first grade in a slump that yielded seven losses from eight games between March and May.
Under-pressure Knights coach Adam O'Brien previously told reporters it would be "unfair" to recall Hastings and expect him to be able to turn the Knights' fortunes around.
Reports had also claimed Hastings, unsighted at NRL level since last July, was at the centre of a rift with his Knights teammates.
But with Kalyn Ponga away on State of Origin duty, the 15th-placed Knights have brought Hastings in to partner Jack Cogger in the halves against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday.
The Knights had few options but to recall Hastings given Tyson Gamble remains sidelined with a thumb injury and Will Pryce was released to the English Super League in March.
Fletcher Sharpe shifts from five-eighth to Ponga's fullback spot.
Following a successful performance with the reserves last week, Roosters halfback Walker will play his first top-grade game since September after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Walker's return pushes Sandon Smith from the halves to the bench, with Hugo Savala retaining a spot in the starting side as reward for a strong first season to date.
Out-of-favour winger Dom Young has also been recalled to the top grade amid the Roosters' Origin absences as he continues to be linked with a return to the Knights.
Elsewhere, Tom Trbojevic returns from his corked quad to line up in Manly's match against Gold Coast.
Sea Eagles veterans Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic will also be on hand after being overlooked for selection in the second Origin match.
Jason Taumalolo is back from a calf injury for North Queensland's clash against intrastate rivals the Dolphins and the Cowboys have also recalled playmaker Jake Clifford to cover for Queensland representative Tom Dearden.
As expected, Matt Burton's call-up to serve as NSW's 18th man for Origin II has opened a spot for Lachlan Galvin to start in the halves for the first time since joining Canterbury.
The teenager will play five-eighth next to Toby Sexton for Sunday's meeting with South Sydney, who have lost Cody Walker to a groin issue.
Jamie Humphreys will join Jayden Sullivan in the halves, with Jye Gray recalled at fullback to cover for Blues star Latrell Mitchell.
St George Illawarra have recalled Tyrell Sloan from a week in reserve grade to replace Christian Tuipulotu, who misses the match with Cronulla through a hamstring issue.
Newcastle have finally turned to Jackson Hastings in the fight for their NRL season, with the out-of-favour half set to face another returning playmaker in Sam Walker in his comeback game.
Off-contract Hastings appeared to have played his last game for the Knights when he was unable to crack first grade in a slump that yielded seven losses from eight games between March and May.
Under-pressure Knights coach Adam O'Brien previously told reporters it would be "unfair" to recall Hastings and expect him to be able to turn the Knights' fortunes around.
Reports had also claimed Hastings, unsighted at NRL level since last July, was at the centre of a rift with his Knights teammates.
But with Kalyn Ponga away on State of Origin duty, the 15th-placed Knights have brought Hastings in to partner Jack Cogger in the halves against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday.
The Knights had few options but to recall Hastings given Tyson Gamble remains sidelined with a thumb injury and Will Pryce was released to the English Super League in March.
Fletcher Sharpe shifts from five-eighth to Ponga's fullback spot.
Following a successful performance with the reserves last week, Roosters halfback Walker will play his first top-grade game since September after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Walker's return pushes Sandon Smith from the halves to the bench, with Hugo Savala retaining a spot in the starting side as reward for a strong first season to date.
Out-of-favour winger Dom Young has also been recalled to the top grade amid the Roosters' Origin absences as he continues to be linked with a return to the Knights.
Elsewhere, Tom Trbojevic returns from his corked quad to line up in Manly's match against Gold Coast.
Sea Eagles veterans Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic will also be on hand after being overlooked for selection in the second Origin match.
Jason Taumalolo is back from a calf injury for North Queensland's clash against intrastate rivals the Dolphins and the Cowboys have also recalled playmaker Jake Clifford to cover for Queensland representative Tom Dearden.
As expected, Matt Burton's call-up to serve as NSW's 18th man for Origin II has opened a spot for Lachlan Galvin to start in the halves for the first time since joining Canterbury.
The teenager will play five-eighth next to Toby Sexton for Sunday's meeting with South Sydney, who have lost Cody Walker to a groin issue.
Jamie Humphreys will join Jayden Sullivan in the halves, with Jye Gray recalled at fullback to cover for Blues star Latrell Mitchell.
St George Illawarra have recalled Tyrell Sloan from a week in reserve grade to replace Christian Tuipulotu, who misses the match with Cronulla through a hamstring issue.
Newcastle have finally turned to Jackson Hastings in the fight for their NRL season, with the out-of-favour half set to face another returning playmaker in Sam Walker in his comeback game.
Off-contract Hastings appeared to have played his last game for the Knights when he was unable to crack first grade in a slump that yielded seven losses from eight games between March and May.
Under-pressure Knights coach Adam O'Brien previously told reporters it would be "unfair" to recall Hastings and expect him to be able to turn the Knights' fortunes around.
Reports had also claimed Hastings, unsighted at NRL level since last July, was at the centre of a rift with his Knights teammates.
But with Kalyn Ponga away on State of Origin duty, the 15th-placed Knights have brought Hastings in to partner Jack Cogger in the halves against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday.
The Knights had few options but to recall Hastings given Tyson Gamble remains sidelined with a thumb injury and Will Pryce was released to the English Super League in March.
Fletcher Sharpe shifts from five-eighth to Ponga's fullback spot.
Following a successful performance with the reserves last week, Roosters halfback Walker will play his first top-grade game since September after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Walker's return pushes Sandon Smith from the halves to the bench, with Hugo Savala retaining a spot in the starting side as reward for a strong first season to date.
Out-of-favour winger Dom Young has also been recalled to the top grade amid the Roosters' Origin absences as he continues to be linked with a return to the Knights.
Elsewhere, Tom Trbojevic returns from his corked quad to line up in Manly's match against Gold Coast.
Sea Eagles veterans Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic will also be on hand after being overlooked for selection in the second Origin match.
Jason Taumalolo is back from a calf injury for North Queensland's clash against intrastate rivals the Dolphins and the Cowboys have also recalled playmaker Jake Clifford to cover for Queensland representative Tom Dearden.
As expected, Matt Burton's call-up to serve as NSW's 18th man for Origin II has opened a spot for Lachlan Galvin to start in the halves for the first time since joining Canterbury.
The teenager will play five-eighth next to Toby Sexton for Sunday's meeting with South Sydney, who have lost Cody Walker to a groin issue.
Jamie Humphreys will join Jayden Sullivan in the halves, with Jye Gray recalled at fullback to cover for Blues star Latrell Mitchell.
St George Illawarra have recalled Tyrell Sloan from a week in reserve grade to replace Christian Tuipulotu, who misses the match with Cronulla through a hamstring issue.
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