Former Goondiwindi Boars star David Armstrong shining in NRL

Since replacing injured superstar Kalyn Ponga, David Armstrong has gone from strength to strength for the Newcastle Knights. See the key stats which set him apart.

David Armstrong of the Knights breaks away to score a try against the Gold Coast Titans.

David Armstrong put the small town of Mungindi on the map with an electrifying NRL debut which saw him pick up all six Dally M votes in April.

Filling the boots of Newcastle Knights and Queensland Maroons star fullback Kalyn Ponga, Armstrong scored a try and ran for 189m against The Dolphins.

The 23-year-old scored just nine minutes into his debut – bursting through a gap thanks to his trademark lightning pace to cross over right in front of a mass of his family and friends in the crowd.

“I couldn’t have scripted it any better … crossing over early into the game was a special moment,” he told this masthead after his debut.

“I would have liked to have gone and celebrated with them (his friends and family) but the boys jumped on me pretty quick and they were all pretty excited for me.”

David Armstrong of the Knights scores a try against the Gold Coast Titans. Picture: Getty Images

Any concerns Knights fan have had about Armstrong’s ability to replace the mercurial Ponga have also been answered.

Armstrong was a magician in the NRL’s Magic Round at the weekend – scoring three tries in the Knights’ 28-24 win over the Gold Coast Titans.

In his four games this season he has recorded five tries, a try assist, four line breaks and run for 688m metres.

The Knights are also unbeaten since Armstrong pulled on a jersey.

Humility and a commitment to constant improvement appear to the keys to Armstrong’s early success.

“I am just trying to focus each week, I am not trying to look past and say I am gonna dominate the NRL, I am just looking at going to training and improve my game week to week and hopefully things take care of itself on the weekend,” he said after his debut.

“After the weekend I am quite confident I can handle it but it is just about me improving each week.”

Originally published as Former Goondiwindi Boars star David Armstrong shining in NRL