Knights rookie Will Pearsall will take on Jarryd Hayne.

WILL Pearsall has played all of 33 minutes in the NRL but that’s enough for Nathan Brown to hand him the job of shutting down Jarryd Hayne.

Will Pearsall MUST CREDIT PHOTOGRAPHER: FLICKR/NAPARAZZI

WILL Pearsall has played all of 33 minutes in the NRL.

But that hasn’t stopped Newcastle coach Nathan Brown handing him the job of trying to shut down the most talked-about player in rugby league at Hunter Stadium today.

After cameos off the bench in a couple of games earlier this season, the Newcastle Knights rookie is set to face off against celebrated Gold Coast recruit Jarryd Hayne at five-eighth following the withdrawal on Friday of Jarrod Mullen with a knee injury.

The loss of Mullen comes on top of backrower Sione Mata’utia also missing the game after he failed a concussion test on Thursday and continues the embattled club’s horror run of injuries this season.

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But while Newcastle officials hope Hayne has a big impact at the turnstiles, Knights players claim their focus has not been solely on him.

“They have got threats all over the park, not just one person,” winger Nathan Ross said.

“To see them go this well is phenomenal and it’s a credit to that whole group of players, not just one player, to be where they are right now.”

Knights forward Korbin Sims also sang from the same hymn book.

“It’s good to see him back in the NRL. He’s such a high-powered name but you can’t have your whole video session focused on one dude.

“No disrespect but he is not the key to their team. There’s been a lot of success in their team in the early part of the year that has put them where they are today.”

The Knights crashed to another loss last week.

Sims admitted the Knights second half capitulation against Penrith last weekend had been brought up at a number of “truth sessions” during the week among the players, who were keen to make amends.

Ross also bought into the controversy surrounding Titans captain Ryan James and the fact he will be playing despite being found guilty of a high shot that broke Tigers fullback James Tedesco’s jaw.

Asked was he surprised James was not suspended, Ross said:

“Very surprised. I’m not on the judiciary and I don’t want to comment too much on it but there’s a little bit of inconsistency there.

“But he’s their captain so I’m sure that he’ll strengthen their forward pack a bit.”

Originally published as Knights rookie Will Pearsall will take on Jarryd Hayne.