Despite being linked to a return to the Super League, Jackson Hastings has answered speculation regarding his future with the Newcastle Knights by announcing that he will stay in Australia for the upcoming season.
As part of a squad makeover in the Hunter, Hastings was reportedly one of several Knights players who were told they were free to look for another team.
Prop Daniel Saifiti has already signed with the Dolphins as of 2025 as a result of the Knights’ transfer.
Hastings was questioned about his future when visiting the UK to see his partner’s family.
a segment of the pre-game presentation prior to the Super League semifinal between Leigh and Wigan, Hastings’ old team.
I haven’t spoken to anyone in the Super League, and I have a contract for next year,” Hastings stated.
I am really enjoying my life in Australia and hopefully stay there for as long as possible,” he continued.
The 28-year-old’s future is still uncertain after he was dropped to the NSW Cup for the last part of the 2024 season and played out of position at lock.
The Newcastle half, who is on a reported $800,000 a season at the Knights, has undergone a career resurgence abroad following a rough start to his NRL career which saw unpleasant exits from the Roosters and Manly after bursting on the scene in the 2015 season.
The half single-handedly steered the Salford Red Devils from certain relegation to grand finalists within 18 months.
Hastings was voted 2019 Man of Steel after a fantastic performance with the Red Devils which saw him join Wigan where the Warriors made the grand final in 2020 and the finals in 2021.
Although brutal lower leg injuries have hampered Hastings’ campaigns in two of the last three seasons, his return to form was sufficient to entice him back to the NRL, where we have seen glimmers of the former Great Britain international’s greatest play.
All of a sudden, 2025 will either make or break Hastings’ future in the NRL.