Jackson Hastings to debut

[Guest]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...0dae44e4363026

Congratulations to Jackson Hastings, set to debut tomorrow night, he'll give it a crack and hopefully get a few good minutes as utility.

[stsae]

Can you please print the article mate.

[Guest]

THE NRL’s oldest rivalry will be lit up by one of its brightest young stars, with 18-year-old prodigy Jackson Hastings to make his debut before a huge final round crowd at Allianz Stadium.

With the minor premiership and inner-city bragging rights at stake, Roosters coach Trent Robinson has shown great faith in the son of club great Kevin Hastings to handle the biggest occasion of the regular season.

While he was not named in the 17 on Tuesday, Hastings will start from the bench in place of Heath L’Estrange, who has been struggling with a knee injury.

Jackson Hastings is the son of Roosters great Kevin Hastings.
Jackson Hastings is the son of Roosters great Kevin Hastings.Source: Supplied
The former Australian Schoolboy gets his opportunity because of an horrific scare for Jake Friend last weekend.

The regular hooker was rushed to Prince of Wales hospital with extreme breathing difficulty after his lungs filled with two litres of blood.

Friend was discharged yesterday, and club officials are growing more confident that he will recover in time to play finals football.



But for Thursday night at least the hooking duties will be shared between new No. 9 Mitchell Aubusson and Hastings.

Positive signs for Friend 0:40
The Illawarra junior signed with the Roosters last year after a spirited contractual battle involving the Dragons, Knights and Cowboys.

His father Kevin retired in 1987 with 228 appearances for the Tri-Colours — a club record at the time.

Thanks to that legacy, Hastings grew up supporting the Roosters but was developed through the Dragons system because he was raised with his mum on the south coast.

His playmaking talents were so immense that he graduated to Holden Cup as a 16-year-old.

Kevin Hastings played his entire career with the Eastern Suburbs rugby league club.
Kevin Hastings played his entire career with the Eastern Suburbs rugby league club.Source: News Limited
Hastings has played the majority of his football in the halves, so Thursday night’s NRL debut at hooker will represent an even steeper challenge.

The Roosters had expected to blood him earlier in the year, with Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney the incumbent NSW Origin halves combination at the start of the season.

But their axing from the Blues left Hastings to bide his time in Holden Cup, where he’s made 13 appearances at halfback this year.

'Game not about me and SBW'1:10
He’s also suffered a broken wrist, and since coming back has been elevated to open-age grade for NSW Cup feeder club Newtown.

In a sure-fire sign of Robinson’s willingness to test him in first grade, Hastings played two games for the Jets last month.

When L’Estrange suffered his injury, Hastings was then elevated to 18th man for the round 24 clash against the warriors in Auckland.

Friend, however, made a shock return from a hamstring injury, stretching his vigil for higher honours another two weeks.

[stsae]

Cheers mate.

No quotes from the club. I guess we will know if it's definately on close to kick off.

If it does good luck to the kid.

[Sydney_Roosters_4_Life]

Good lord i hope he kills it. Big future for this kid

If he plays well the next few weeks he may be a certainty for a bench spot next year. Maubs to return to the backrow.

Who knows.

Good luck SOH, give it to Souffs!

[Guest]

Cheers mate.

No quotes from the club. I guess we will know if it's definately on close to kick off.

If it does good luck to the kid.

It's a definite. I spoke to his mum on Tuesday who confirmed it but I was sworn to secrecy. L'Estrange was never going to play. He was named to protect Jacko from the media as the club didn't want to force any extra pressure on the kid in what is already a huge occasion.

That said, Jacko was a starter for the Warriors game too but was a last minute withdrawal due to Friends quick recovery from his hammy.

Can't wait, Jacko has also arranged a corporate box for family which I've score tickets for me and the kids. Hope Horrie will be with us.

[Chook Norris]

It's a definite. I spoke to his mum on Tuesday who confirmed it but I was sworn to secrecy. L'Estrange was never going to play. He was named to protect Jacko from the media as the club didn't want to force any extra pressure on the kid in what is already a huge occasion.

That said, Jacko was a starter for the Warriors game too but was a last minute withdrawal due to Friends quick recovery from his hammy.

Can't wait, Jacko has also arranged a corporate box for family which I've score tickets for me and the kids. Hope Horrie will be with us.

So much for that!

Well the truths out now and that's awesome news. Can't wait to see how he goes

[Johnny.]

If he has half his fathers talent and heart, he's gonna be a world beater.

More the old Easts than just Horrie but still.

[Salvatori Grubber]

Holy piss! That's unreal.

[Easts75]

Super exciting news for SOH ,The Club and fans. Hope he has a solid game, no injuries and gains some confidence for the future. If he can shine next year, along with BF ,they will both bring a lot of spark and that 'x' factor every team needs. Just a very exciting time for the club and its fans.

[The Brain]

Super exciting news for SOH ,The Club and fans. Hope he has a solid game, no injuries and gains some confidence for the future. If he can shine next year, along with BF ,they will both bring a lot of spark and that 'x' factor every team needs. Just a very exciting time for the club and its fans.

This is a big move I'm not really for it but the coach knows more than I do ....The Burgess boys will target him .Wish him all the best.

[Easts75]

This is a big move I'm not really for it but the coach knows more than I do ....The Burgess boys will target him .Wish him all the best.

Yeah I get why people would think its risky. TR though seems like someone who doesn't make 'risky' selections for the sake of it. He obviously believes Hastings is something special and mature enough to handle it.

[roosterproud]

shits that's a lot of pressure on the kid. first debut and if he doesn't score a try he has to do the nudie run with fpn for not scoring in firsts during the season

[Thirteen]

Makes me a little nervous. Defending around the ruck with a big side running at him.
I trust Robo though.

[The Axe]

I heard that he was to play v the Warriors and his parents made the trip to Auckland. It was only the return of Jake that delayed this.

Trust in Trent. He would have had the team prepare for injuries all season, that is why we have versatility.

Jackson (SoH) may only play limited minutes but I'm sure his father will be so proud and make every tackle with him.

Congratulations to SoH and Horry (The Original). A big day for both.

PS I'm so very excited.