NRL 2021: Wests Tigers keen to lure Jackson Hastings back from Super League

Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire has confirmed the club is keen to lure Jackson Hastings back to the NRL.

Jackson Hastings. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images

Wests Tigers are trying to lure Jackson Hastings back from England immediately.

The Daily Telegraph has been told Wests Tigers general manager Adam Hartigan contacted Hastings’ manager, Sam Ayoub, on Thursday.

Hastings has been quietly eyeing a return to the NRL but Wigan is yet to determine whether the former Dragons, Rooster and Sea Eagle would be released.

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Wests Tigers are keen to sign Jackson Hastings. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images

Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire confirmed his interest in Hastings but denied the approach was a reflection of the performances of halfback Luke Brooks.

The Daily Telegraph understands Tigers management had a meeting with Brooks on Thursday to reassure the halfback his spot is not under threat.

Tigers management is aware Hastings remains contracted to Wigan but are seeking to have him return home as early as next week.

“Our management are looking at him (Hastings),” said Maguire, a former Wigan Super League-winning coach.

“I am aware there are some conversations around him, yes. To be honest, we’re just finding out where he is at, because we don’t know whether Super League will go ahead so potentially it (Hastings arriving) could now.

“We will have a look at everything that is currently available.

“I’m not going to bullshit you. At the end of the day we are looking at every player to potentially bolster our squad. We have obviously got some spots available and we are looking to bolster our squad. That’s our job.”

Asked would Hastings want to come home, Maguire said: “I don’t know, mate.”

Maguire denied the move was a reflection on Brooks.

“Jackson Hastings can play six, seven, nine and 13,” Maguire said. “But as far as I know, he is a Wigan player.”

Hastings earlier this month told The Daily Telegraph he would play for any NRL club.

Jackson Hastings would need to secure a release from Wigan to join the Tigers. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“Beggars can’t be choosers,” Hastings said. “You only need one club to show interest in. I’m not too bothered if the club’s been coming last or coming first.

“All I want to do is fit into a culture and earn the respect of the playing group that’s there, the coaching staff also.”

The Tigers are second last on the ladder.

Wests Tigers have lost both matches heavily this season and play Newcastle this Sunday at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Hastings only returned to England a fortnight ago after an extended off-season stay with his family on the NSW south coast.

Tigers legend Garry Jack posted on Twitter: “Jackson Hastings would be an excellent signing for Wests Tigers. I would personally love to see him there.”

The season is just two games old but pressure is mounting at Wests Tigers.

Hastings, 25, left the NRL for England after a turbulent stint at Brookvale. He instantly became one of the finest players in Super League at Wigan and previously Salford.

He also encountered issues at the Roosters and Dragons.

“We will go through all those things, dependent on his availability,” Maguire said. “We will go through all that. But everyone grows up at some stage.”

Hastings is a former Man of Steel winner. Confusion over Super League being played through COVID is also complicating the issue.

Possessing one of the game’s best kicking games, Hastings will miss this weekend’s Super League opener against Leigh at Headingley.

“Due to Jackson’s delayed arrival, we feel that he needs another week of training in the team sessions and environment before he will be selected,” Wigan coach Adrian Lam said.

“It’s great to have him back in training - he has lifted the intensity since his arrival.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Wests Tigers keen to lure Jackson Hastings back from Super League