NRL teams: Inside the NRL halfback killing season - already four down before round 3

They are usually the first player picked, but four halfbacks have already been axed from their teams and we’re not even a month into the season. MICHAEL CARAYANNIS and PAMELA WHALEY investigate why.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 01: Lachlan Ilias of the Rabbitohs looks dejected after the round 27 NRL match between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters at Accor Stadium on September 01, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Jackson Hastings is the fourth high-profile halfback axed before round 3, just a day after South Sydney lost confidence in Lachlan Ilias.

Hastings has felt the brunt of Newcastle’s winless start to the year with the experienced No.7 making way for Jack Cogger.

Jayden Sullivan has also been relegated to the interchange bench in favour of veteran Aidan Sezer after a poor first hit out for the Tigers.

The pair are the latest in the NRL’s halfback killing season with the competition just two weeks old. Ilias, Hastings and the Dolphins’ Sean O’Sullivan have all lost their starting spots despite being permanent fixtures last year.

Former NSW and Australian halfback Greg Alexander said the group would have started the season under pressure.

“It’s a bit strange to have even one No.7 dropped after one or two rounds but to have four is unheard of,” Alexander said. “These coaches who pulled the trigger on their halves would have had it in their mind in the off-season.

“They weren’t convinced they were going to be the sevens long-term but they were probably hoping they would be. Early season form has immediately seen them chopped. The string for them was only so long.”

Jackson Hastings has been replaced by Jack Cogger. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien has preferred Tyson Gamble to Hastings with Penrith premiership winner Cogger forcing his way into the starting side. The Knights will welcome hooker Jayden Brailey back from a long injury lay-off onto the interchange bench.

The Knights lost in golden point to North Queensland where both halves struggled to make plays.

“With Jack Cogger going there it was always going to be Gamble or Hastings to make way,” Alexander said. “The way Jack filled in for Nathan Cleary last year you’d think he was more than likely going to wear the No.7. I wouldn’t say Jackson has let himself down. I thought he played OK against the Cowboys. Maybe a bit better than OK. Jackson probably pays the price for having someone ready to jump into that spot in Cogger.”

Jarome Luai, who Cogger replaced during last year’s grand final, said his former teammate was ready to cement himself as a regular NRL half.

“I know he’s ready for that opportunity knowing how he prepares and how professional he is so whatever job the coach needs him to do I’m sure he’ll do it,” Luai said.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been in that position where I’ve felt like I’m treading on eggshells. I’m trying to put myself in their shoes, it would be pretty scary feeling that way going into any game, if they are. Coaches need to help playmakers in a sense that they need to be themselves. There’s a lot going on around them and game plans and things like that, so there’s a lot going on in their head.

Sean O'Sullivan has missed out for the Dolphins despite being a regular fixture last year. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“I encourage the boys to keep doing what’s good for them and what got them here in the first place. You should be trying to play with positivity rather than thinking, ‘what if I do this wrong, what’s going to happen’ just enjoying your footy is a big part of my game and that’s what I love doing what I do.”

Sullivan also lost his starting job after an unhappy first showing for the Tigers.

Alexander said the Tigers needed an experienced half to help impressive rookie Lachie Galvin.

“If you’re going to stick with the Galvin now that he has played and shown he will handle it, you have to ask who the better partner for him right now is,” Alexander said. “You’d have to say Sezer is a genuine seven who will take some pressure off him.”

Dean Hawkins will get his chance to be first choice halves option for the Rabbitohs against the Roosters on Saturday night. While Isaiya Katoa looks destined to keep O’Sullivan out of the first grade team long-term.

Alexander said Katoa impressed against the Dragons.

“It looks like it’s his jersey,” Alexander said. “It might be hard for Sean to fight his way back. Doesn’t mean Sean won’t get a start again because he could play six but Katoa looks like he has one of those halves spots.

“South Sydney have won just four of their past 15 games and Ilias is the one player that’s been under pressure ever since he put the jersey on. He seemed to have the backing of Jason Demetriou for two seasons but he has been under pressure.

“The way he started round 1 last year I thought wow Souths all of a sudden had a different way of attacking…He played some good footy last year. He seems to be the man they’ve earmarked that might be holding them back which is a tough call.”

Originally published as NRL teams: Inside the NRL halfback killing season - already four down before round 3