Hastings uncertain for prelim if Knights make it: Coach

Jasper Bruce | September 15, 2023

Newcastle are no guarantee of halfback Jackson Hastings returning if they make the preliminary final, with coach Adam O’Brien describing his ankle injury as “significant”.

The Knights’ organising half suffered a low-grade syndesmosis injury in a hip-drop tackle a month ago and aggravated the issue on his return to the field in last week’s NRL elimination final win.

The 27-year-old watched from the sidelines as Newcastle edged Canberra in extra time and was omitted from the extended squad for Saturday’s semi-final against the Warriors.

Adam Clune will replace him in the side that takes the field in Auckland, having filled in for the last three games of the regular season.

The Warriors’ halfback Shaun Johnson is dealing with a calf injury of his own but after being named in the team on Tuesday, he is eligible to play if he can make it through the Warriors’ final training session.

Hastings’ omission meant he was unable to make a late switch into the side if he returned to fitness but O’Brien said a miracle recovery was never on the cards.

“It was quite significant,” O’Brien said of Hastings’ injury.

“It hampered his ability to do his job, even in the early parts (of the Raiders game) but then he copped another knock to it.

“That’ll lead to a more significant type of injury to what he had previously. He wasn’t going to be able to perform his role so we just moved on.”

The Knights may not have Hastings back for a preliminary final against Brisbane if they are able to pull off an ambush at Mount Smart Stadium.

“Potentially (it could sideline him from more games),” O’Brien said.

“I think there could’ve been a little bit more damage to it.

“But I’m not 100 per cent across it, I’ve just been bunkered down with this team and the guys we’ve got over here.”

Newcastle will draw strength from winning all three of their games without Hastings to finish the regular season.

Clune filled in seamlessly as the Knights sealed their finals spot by easily accounting for fellow finals hopefuls South Sydney and Cronulla.

“I’m not going to downplay it,” O’Brien said of Hastings’ absence.

“He’s a quality player, Jackson, I won’t understate that.

“But what I will talk about is what Adam Clune’s done for us in some pretty big games at the back end of this season.

“There were games that felt like semi-finals and Adam came in and did a great job.”