Confirmed: Knights make huge call on Hastings comeback as he fights for future

JACKSON Hastings will be playing for his rugby league future when the Newcastle Knights take on the Sydney Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
As reported by the Newcastle Herald on Monday, Jackson has been recalled at halfback for the Knights' round-15 clash.
It will be the much-maligned playmaker's first appearance in the NRL in nearly a year.
On a contract worth $750,000 a season, Hastings has previously been overlooked in favour of Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Phoenix Crossland and Tyson Gamble.
However, with Kalyn Ponga retaining his place at fullback for the Maroons in Origin II and Tyson Gamble out with a broken thumb, Hastings has been called upon.
He will start in the No.7 jumper, with Sharpe covering at fullback and Cogger sliding out to five-eighth.
Though believed to be on the outer, Hastings has been captain of the Knights' NSW Cup side and was 18th man for the NRL side's come-from-behind 26-22 triumph over Manly last round.
Tyson Frzell is out with concussion, forcing a reshuffle to the pack.
Matt Croker starts at prop, Phoenix Crossland switches to lock, with Jayden Brailey promoted from the bench to start at hooker.
Matt Arthur is the new face in the interchange rotation.
Bradman Best was close to a return from a hamstring injury, but coach Adam O'Brien has erred on the side of caution.
Rookie Fletcher Hunt starts at left centre, with James Schiller on the wing.
Jacob Saifiti (calf) and Jack Hetherington (shoulder) are at least a week away, while Leo Thompson has three games remaining on supension.
There has been constant speculation around the reasons why Hastings hasn't been involved despite the Knights struggles in attack.
O'Brien has confirmed the pivot won't be at the Knights in 2026.
"The club has also been upfront and honest that going forward he won't be offered a new deal," O'Brien said last month.
Baring injury to Ponga, Hastings appears unlikley to get many more opportunties in the NRL this season.
The 29-year-old's agent, Sam Ayoub, did not return calls from the Herald on Tuesday.
MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT
Hastings has been linked to a return to the English Super League, where he previously starred for Salford and Wigan.
Leeds have shown interetst and Castleford has emerged as another potential landing spot for Hastings, but not until next season.
"I'm a big fan of Jackson, he took the competition by storm when he was here," Castleford coach Danny McGuire told Love Rugby League .
"I'm not sure of his circumstances at the minute but he's a player I admire. However, he's not really one we've spoke about.
"A lot of what we're doing is for next year. We're planning for that and the year after."
Jackson's partner Amelia Smith gave birth to baby daughter, Scottie, in April.
His journey into fatherhood has been a distraction from his NRL absence.
"Scottie's debut, you dream of stuff like this. Never felt pride like it," Hastings posted on Instagram with a picture of Scottie at her first game last month.
The Roosters, fresh from a bye, have lost Robert Toia, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu to Origin duties.
Nat Butcher (knee) and Naufahu Whyte (knee) return from injury.
Dom Young has been named on the wing in what is potentially his last game for the Roosters before returning to the Knights.
He will play on the right flank, with Mark Nawaqanitawase to shift to centre in Toia's absence.
Sam Walker starts at halfback in his first game in the NRL this season after a knee reconstruction.
The Knights are hoping the last-minute win against Manly can spark their season and end their struggles at home.
However, they have not beaten the Roosters since a 20-6 victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground on March 12, 2022.
JACKSON Hastings will be playing for his rugby league future when the Newcastle Knights take on the Sydney Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
As reported by the Newcastle Herald on Monday, Jackson has been recalled at halfback for the Knights' round-15 clash.
It will be the much-maligned playmaker's first appearance in the NRL in nearly a year.
On a contract worth $750,000 a season, Hastings has previously been overlooked in favour of Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Phoenix Crossland and Tyson Gamble.
However, with Kalyn Ponga retaining his place at fullback for the Maroons in Origin II and Tyson Gamble out with a broken thumb, Hastings has been called upon.
He will start in the No.7 jumper, with Sharpe covering at fullback and Cogger sliding out to five-eighth.
Though believed to be on the outer, Hastings has been captain of the Knights' NSW Cup side and was 18th man for the NRL side's come-from-behind 26-22 triumph over Manly last round.
Tyson Frzell is out with concussion, forcing a reshuffle to the pack.
Matt Croker starts at prop, Phoenix Crossland switches to lock, with Jayden Brailey promoted from the bench to start at hooker.
Matt Arthur is the new face in the interchange rotation.
Bradman Best was close to a return from a hamstring injury, but coach Adam O'Brien has erred on the side of caution.
Rookie Fletcher Hunt starts at left centre, with James Schiller on the wing.
Jacob Saifiti (calf) and Jack Hetherington (shoulder) are at least a week away, while Leo Thompson has three games remaining on supension.
There has been constant speculation around the reasons why Hastings hasn't been involved despite the Knights struggles in attack.
O'Brien has confirmed the pivot won't be at the Knights in 2026.
"The club has also been upfront and honest that going forward he won't be offered a new deal," O'Brien said last month.
Baring injury to Ponga, Hastings appears unlikley to get many more opportunties in the NRL this season.
The 29-year-old's agent, Sam Ayoub, did not return calls from the Herald on Tuesday.
MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT
Hastings has been linked to a return to the English Super League, where he previously starred for Salford and Wigan.
Leeds have shown interetst and Castleford has emerged as another potential landing spot for Hastings, but not until next season.
"I'm a big fan of Jackson, he took the competition by storm when he was here," Castleford coach Danny McGuire told Love Rugby League .
"I'm not sure of his circumstances at the minute but he's a player I admire. However, he's not really one we've spoke about.
"A lot of what we're doing is for next year. We're planning for that and the year after."
Jackson's partner Amelia Smith gave birth to baby daughter, Scottie, in April.
His journey into fatherhood has been a distraction from his NRL absence.
"Scottie's debut, you dream of stuff like this. Never felt pride like it," Hastings posted on Instagram with a picture of Scottie at her first game last month.
The Roosters, fresh from a bye, have lost Robert Toia, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu to Origin duties.
Nat Butcher (knee) and Naufahu Whyte (knee) return from injury.
Dom Young has been named on the wing in what is potentially his last game for the Roosters before returning to the Knights.
He will play on the right flank, with Mark Nawaqanitawase to shift to centre in Toia's absence.
Sam Walker starts at halfback in his first game in the NRL this season after a knee reconstruction.
The Knights are hoping the last-minute win against Manly can spark their season and end their struggles at home.
However, they have not beaten the Roosters since a 20-6 victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground on March 12, 2022.
JACKSON Hastings will be playing for his rugby league future when the Newcastle Knights take on the Sydney Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
As reported by the Newcastle Herald on Monday, Jackson has been recalled at halfback for the Knights' round-15 clash.
It will be the much-maligned playmaker's first appearance in the NRL in nearly a year.
On a contract worth $750,000 a season, Hastings has previously been overlooked in favour of Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Phoenix Crossland and Tyson Gamble.
However, with Kalyn Ponga retaining his place at fullback for the Maroons in Origin II and Tyson Gamble out with a broken thumb, Hastings has been called upon.
He will start in the No.7 jumper, with Sharpe covering at fullback and Cogger sliding out to five-eighth.
Though believed to be on the outer, Hastings has been captain of the Knights' NSW Cup side and was 18th man for the NRL side's come-from-behind 26-22 triumph over Manly last round.
Tyson Frzell is out with concussion, forcing a reshuffle to the pack.
Matt Croker starts at prop, Phoenix Crossland switches to lock, with Jayden Brailey promoted from the bench to start at hooker.
Matt Arthur is the new face in the interchange rotation.
Bradman Best was close to a return from a hamstring injury, but coach Adam O'Brien has erred on the side of caution.
Rookie Fletcher Hunt starts at left centre, with James Schiller on the wing.
Jacob Saifiti (calf) and Jack Hetherington (shoulder) are at least a week away, while Leo Thompson has three games remaining on supension.
There has been constant speculation around the reasons why Hastings hasn't been involved despite the Knights struggles in attack.
O'Brien has confirmed the pivot won't be at the Knights in 2026.
"The club has also been upfront and honest that going forward he won't be offered a new deal," O'Brien said last month.
Baring injury to Ponga, Hastings appears unlikley to get many more opportunties in the NRL this season.
The 29-year-old's agent, Sam Ayoub, did not return calls from the Herald on Tuesday.
MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT
Hastings has been linked to a return to the English Super League, where he previously starred for Salford and Wigan.
Leeds have shown interetst and Castleford has emerged as another potential landing spot for Hastings, but not until next season.
"I'm a big fan of Jackson, he took the competition by storm when he was here," Castleford coach Danny McGuire told Love Rugby League .
"I'm not sure of his circumstances at the minute but he's a player I admire. However, he's not really one we've spoke about.
"A lot of what we're doing is for next year. We're planning for that and the year after."
Jackson's partner Amelia Smith gave birth to baby daughter, Scottie, in April.
His journey into fatherhood has been a distraction from his NRL absence.
"Scottie's debut, you dream of stuff like this. Never felt pride like it," Hastings posted on Instagram with a picture of Scottie at her first game last month.
The Roosters, fresh from a bye, have lost Robert Toia, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu to Origin duties.
Nat Butcher (knee) and Naufahu Whyte (knee) return from injury.
Dom Young has been named on the wing in what is potentially his last game for the Roosters before returning to the Knights.
He will play on the right flank, with Mark Nawaqanitawase to shift to centre in Toia's absence.
Sam Walker starts at halfback in his first game in the NRL this season after a knee reconstruction.
The Knights are hoping the last-minute win against Manly can spark their season and end their struggles at home.
However, they have not beaten the Roosters since a 20-6 victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground on March 12, 2022.
JACKSON Hastings will be playing for his rugby league future when the Newcastle Knights take on the Sydney Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
As reported by the Newcastle Herald on Monday, Jackson has been recalled at halfback for the Knights' round-15 clash.
It will be the much-maligned playmaker's first appearance in the NRL in nearly a year.
On a contract worth $750,000 a season, Hastings has previously been overlooked in favour of Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Phoenix Crossland and Tyson Gamble.
However, with Kalyn Ponga retaining his place at fullback for the Maroons in Origin II and Tyson Gamble out with a broken thumb, Hastings has been called upon.
He will start in the No.7 jumper, with Sharpe covering at fullback and Cogger sliding out to five-eighth.
Though believed to be on the outer, Hastings has been captain of the Knights' NSW Cup side and was 18th man for the NRL side's come-from-behind 26-22 triumph over Manly last round.
Tyson Frzell is out with concussion, forcing a reshuffle to the pack.
Matt Croker starts at prop, Phoenix Crossland switches to lock, with Jayden Brailey promoted from the bench to start at hooker.
Matt Arthur is the new face in the interchange rotation.
Bradman Best was close to a return from a hamstring injury, but coach Adam O'Brien has erred on the side of caution.
Rookie Fletcher Hunt starts at left centre, with James Schiller on the wing.
Jacob Saifiti (calf) and Jack Hetherington (shoulder) are at least a week away, while Leo Thompson has three games remaining on supension.
There has been constant speculation around the reasons why Hastings hasn't been involved despite the Knights struggles in attack.
O'Brien has confirmed the pivot won't be at the Knights in 2026.
"The club has also been upfront and honest that going forward he won't be offered a new deal," O'Brien said last month.
Baring injury to Ponga, Hastings appears unlikley to get many more opportunties in the NRL this season.
The 29-year-old's agent, Sam Ayoub, did not return calls from the Herald on Tuesday.
MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT
Hastings has been linked to a return to the English Super League, where he previously starred for Salford and Wigan.
Leeds have shown interetst and Castleford has emerged as another potential landing spot for Hastings, but not until next season.
"I'm a big fan of Jackson, he took the competition by storm when he was here," Castleford coach Danny McGuire told Love Rugby League .
"I'm not sure of his circumstances at the minute but he's a player I admire. However, he's not really one we've spoke about.
"A lot of what we're doing is for next year. We're planning for that and the year after."
Jackson's partner Amelia Smith gave birth to baby daughter, Scottie, in April.
His journey into fatherhood has been a distraction from his NRL absence.
"Scottie's debut, you dream of stuff like this. Never felt pride like it," Hastings posted on Instagram with a picture of Scottie at her first game last month.
The Roosters, fresh from a bye, have lost Robert Toia, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu to Origin duties.
Nat Butcher (knee) and Naufahu Whyte (knee) return from injury.
Dom Young has been named on the wing in what is potentially his last game for the Roosters before returning to the Knights.
He will play on the right flank, with Mark Nawaqanitawase to shift to centre in Toia's absence.
Sam Walker starts at halfback in his first game in the NRL this season after a knee reconstruction.
The Knights are hoping the last-minute win against Manly can spark their season and end their struggles at home.
However, they have not beaten the Roosters since a 20-6 victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground on March 12, 2022.