A rumoured feud between Knights playmaker Jackson Hastings and low season recruit John Bateman could have been an element within the halfback’s departure from the Wests Tigers.
Hastings, 27, left for the Hunter in a swap cope with prop David Klemmer becoming a member of Tim Sheens and the Tigers for 2023.
Hastings and Bateman performed a season collectively within the Super League for Wigan Warriors in 2021 and reportedly didn’t see eye-to-eye.
Watch each recreation of each spherical of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Then when news started circling Bateman was set to return to the NRL — he apparently made one factor clear to Sheens, Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah.
“The funny thing was as soon as we got wind that Bateman was going there, I got told that he wouldn’t play with Jackson Hastings,” the Daily Telegraph’s Paul Crawley mentioned on NRL 360.
“I inquired about that story and I got told that Hastings didn’t have a problem with Bateman, but I am pretty sure the other way around was an issue.
“And so following that about a week later, Jackson ends up in Newcastle and there you go. But there’s no issues….”
NRL 360 co-host Paul Kent added: “Bateman and Hastings were teammates at Wigan and didn’t get on there, to the point where Hastings left.”
Latrell identifies Panthers issues | 06:48
MORE NRL NEWS
‘SHOOTS FIRST, THINKS LATER’: Latrell praised for sledge forward of acid take a look at
‘HOW DOES HE KNOW?’: Kent slams ‘misguided’ Gould over concussion rant
GUILTY: Graham’s unanimous verdict as Sharks star hit with four-week ban
The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio additionally defined Hastings’ outward help of embattled coach Michael Maguire additionally led to his departure from the merger membership.
“I think Jackson’s quite vocal support of Michael Maguire as well through that turbulent period, also played a role in, I wouldn’t say his departure, but his perception within the club,” Riccio mentioned.
“Certainly that’s eventually led to his exit.”
Hastings was additionally shifted to lock throughout the back-end of his stint with the Tigers, whereas he’s at the moment carrying the No.7 jersey for the Knights.
The former Man of Steel mentioned that’s his most popular place however made it clear he doesn’t “have anything to prove to anyone” forward of this week’s conflict with the Tigers.
“For me it is just another game, it is a club I played for… a club I thought I was going to be at for a long period of time,” Hastings mentioned on Tuesday.
Kenty rips Gould’s concussion feedback | 07:47
Get all the most recent NRL news, highlights and evaluation delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
“Ultimately I ended up at the Knights which I am very grateful for too… I don’t play to prove anything to anyone besides myself and my teammates.
“It doesn’t matter, I’m not there… I don’t have anything to prove to anyone.”
NRL360 host Braith Anasta isn’t shopping for it and is definite it’s a grudge match for Hastings who makes up a new-look Newcastle backbone with Kalyn Ponga and Lachie Miller.
“I love his attitude, I love what he says, but I don’t believe it,” Anasta mentioned.
“He would want to win against his old club, who didn’t really want him, or supposedly.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au