Saints have made some big plays in the transfer market for 2026 in their bid to revive their title aspirations, with big forwards such as David Klemmer and Jacob Host bringing punch to the pack, and Nene Macdonald adding extra strike out wide.
Former Man of Steel Jackson Hastings’ arrival added a strong dollop of control and creativity to the mix too, reuniting Rowley with a player he worked with while on Salford’s staff and a genuine playmaker.
Australia-born Hastings, 30, has played some of his best rugby league in the northern hemisphere, and counts his second home of England as a place where he can get his headspace right.
His new boss is another key factor in that positive mindset.
“He never gets too high when we do something good or too angry when we’re not great,” Hastings told BBC Radio 5 live.
“To have that mental fortitude as a coach to stay even throughout the game, or when training sessions fluctuate, is something he’s always been good at.
“Everyone talks about his sides and how they move the ball, but I think him as a person, he’s pretty even with his emotions and that’s something I really enjoy being around.
“For me, as someone who fluctuates a bit, having someone who’s really calm has been great.”
Hastings had to stand and applaud Saints as they beat his Salford and Wigan teams in back-to-back Grand Final losses in 2019 and 2020.
Now, he’s combining with long-standing Saints icons such as Welsby, Jonny Lomax and Walmsley on a daily basis, players at the heart of those disappointments.
“You can see why they’ve been successful, they train hard, they’re disciplined, and they all do the little things that make you a great player, a great person and ultimately a great team,” Hastings said.
“They do the things that you require to be successful and that’s been great.
“We’re trying to establish a new culture and everyone has bought into that.”
Leave a Reply