FOX SPORTS **Jackson Hastings set for NRL return with Tigers**
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2021-transfers-contracts-signings-jackson-hastings-wests-tigers-luke-brooks-super-league/news-story/95c5e5fcefc240b46640dcc8278ae742
Jackson Hastings is set to return to the NRL with the Wests Tigers expected to sign the Super League playmaker on a two-year deal.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports a formal announcement could be made within the next 48 hours, with Hastings tipped to join the club next season.
Wigan are reported to be firm on not releasing Hastings before the end of the season at this stage.
His arrival would provide cover off the bench as a utility with Billy Walters reportedly looking at moving to the Broncos at the end of the year alongside father and coach Kevin.
Meanwhile, Moses Mbye is also expected to depart the club.
Hastings played 47 games during his stints at the Roosters and Manly and has previously declared his hope to return to the NRL one day.
Hastings was linked to the Tigers back in March, with the Sydney Morning Herald reporting at the time that coach Michael Maguire had met with the former NRL playmaker’s representatives.
“Wests Tigers they want Jackson Hastings at the club immediately,” Michael Chammas told Nine News at the time.
“They met with Hastings manager today, and are hopeful of getting a release from his deal with Wigan in the Super League to join the club this season.”
Chammas did though also clarify that this “is not a reflection of their faith in Luke Brooks” but conceded “pressure is mounting after a disappointing start to the year.”
The Tigers’ plan for the 2019 Man of Steel winner though reportedly centred around him playing lock as opposed to halfback.
Hastings denied the report, taking to social media to post: “Don’t believe everything you read.”
However, the noise around a return to the NRL does not go away.
Neither does pressure surrounding the Tigers to produce results after just one win through six rounds to start the season.
Maguire’s men were much-improved in a heartbreaking loss to the Rabbitohs on the weekend.
Brooks spoke to reporters after the match and declared the club is backing him despite reports he could be moved on before his contract wraps up at the end of 2023.
“They have spoken to me plenty of times,” Brooks said to media, per NRL.com.
“I guess that’s good for me that they’re still backing me.
“I want to be here, I want to be successful at the Tigers.”
Brooks currently has five try assists and just as many linebreak assists while averaging 229 kicking metres and 44 running metres.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2021-transfers-contracts-signings-jackson-hastings-wests-tigers-luke-brooks-super-league/news-story/95c5e5fcefc240b46640dcc8278ae742
Jackson Hastings is set to return to the NRL with the Wests Tigers expected to sign the Super League playmaker on a two-year deal.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports a formal announcement could be made within the next 48 hours, with Hastings tipped to join the club next season.
Wigan are reported to be firm on not releasing Hastings before the end of the season at this stage.
His arrival would provide cover off the bench as a utility with Billy Walters reportedly looking at moving to the Broncos at the end of the year alongside father and coach Kevin.
Meanwhile, Moses Mbye is also expected to depart the club.
Hastings played 47 games during his stints at the Roosters and Manly and has previously declared his hope to return to the NRL one day.
Hastings was linked to the Tigers back in March, with the Sydney Morning Herald reporting at the time that coach Michael Maguire had met with the former NRL playmaker’s representatives.
“Wests Tigers they want Jackson Hastings at the club immediately,” Michael Chammas told Nine News at the time.
“They met with Hastings manager today, and are hopeful of getting a release from his deal with Wigan in the Super League to join the club this season.”
Chammas did though also clarify that this “is not a reflection of their faith in Luke Brooks” but conceded “pressure is mounting after a disappointing start to the year.”
The Tigers’ plan for the 2019 Man of Steel winner though reportedly centred around him playing lock as opposed to halfback.
Hastings denied the report, taking to social media to post: “Don’t believe everything you read.”
However, the noise around a return to the NRL does not go away.
Neither does pressure surrounding the Tigers to produce results after just one win through six rounds to start the season.
Maguire’s men were much-improved in a heartbreaking loss to the Rabbitohs on the weekend.
Brooks spoke to reporters after the match and declared the club is backing him despite reports he could be moved on before his contract wraps up at the end of 2023.
“They have spoken to me plenty of times,” Brooks said to media, per NRL.com.
“I guess that’s good for me that they’re still backing me.
“I want to be here, I want to be successful at the Tigers.”
Brooks currently has five try assists and just as many linebreak assists while averaging 229 kicking metres and 44 running metres.