NRL 2023: How Kalyn Ponga and Jackson Hastings will forge a winning combo for the Knights

Newcastle’s hopes rest in the hands of rugby league’s odd couple. So what can fans expect with the Kalyn Ponga and Jackson Hastings show and how do Mr Cool and Mr Intense match up?

Jackson Hastings of the Knights passes during the NRL trial match between Newcastle Knights and Cronulla Sharks at Industree Group Stadium. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Jackson Hastings takes you inside the Newcastle sheds and his first encounter with Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga.

“The first day I walked into the sheds at training he came in with a bright pink singlet on, hat backwards, I was just trying to drink my coffee and he gave me this big hug like we’d known each other for years,” Hastings said.

“I know he gives off that persona that he’s too cool for school and he’s just relaxed, but he loves the game.

“He’s a pretty deep thinker, to be honest. He just has such a raw, natural talent that you just have to put him in positions to watch him go to work.

“Hopefully we can build on that next week. It’s looked really good, but training’s training.”

Knights fans are salivating over the prospect of pairing Hastings and Ponga in the halves this season.

Kalyn Ponga appears too cool for school but there’s much more to him below the surface.

Newcastle’s hopes rest in the hands of rugby league’s odd couple. Ponga is laid-back. Hastings is intense.

Ponga gives the impression he would be happy to spend his spare time on a skateboard rather than watching rugby league.

Hastings watches everything. On the surface, they would appear very different. Dig a little deeper and Hastings insists they are more alike than you think.

“When you look at his social media he seems like the coolest bloke in the world,” Hastings said.

“When you meet him he actually is the coolest bloke in the world, but he’s got the work ethic to match.

“He doesn’t rest on his laurels. I know a lot of people will have an opinion, a lot of people see the TikToks and with all due respect people will have an opinion on that, but his work ethic at training is second to none.

“He wins every fitness drill, he’s the first one at training, he’s diligent with his meetings and he talks when he needs too.

“His leadership has really shone this pre-season, I’ve been really impressed.”

Jackson Hastings acknowledges there is a level of excitement at playing with one of the most talented players in the NRL.

Knights fans are expected to get a glimpse of their new halves partnership as soon as this week. Ponga was rested from their opening trial defeat to Cronulla on Friday night but he is expected to be dusted off for their final trial against Parramatta next weekend.

Hastings acknowledges there is a level of excitement at playing with one of the most talented players in the NRL.

His job, as much as anything, will to help bring that talent to the surface because everyone in Newcastle knows that if Ponga fires at five-eighth, they could do anything.

“I remember my first session fully back with the squad after about four or five weeks in Newcastle — we spoke about this play we wanted to run, I passed him the ball, he did his old in and away, dummy and just ran through and I thought, ‘This is gonna be all right if it works’,” Hastings said.

“He makes my job a hell of a lot easier and he’s taking on a massive load. He wants to play in the front line and full credit to him, it’s a hard place to defend and it’s a hard place for the oxygen tank.

Jackson Hastings and his Knights teammates during a trial match against the Cronulla Sharks at Industree Group Stadium. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“He’ll be tested no doubt, but he’s a brave kid and we’ve got some people around him who can make it easier.

“His body of work speaks for itself. You sort of get more of an appreciation of what he can do when you get to train with him.

“He makes everything look so easy, there’s an effortlessness to him, he just glides. What I really respect about him is how hard he works, he wins all the fitness drills and he tries his backside off in the gym and I just expected nothing less.

“There was a bit of a setback with injury, it wasn’t as bad as people were saying, they were all kind of jumping up and down.

“But he’s fine, he’ll be in there next week and I can’t wait to play with him.”