HASTINGS WINS DEVILS’ BATTLE
JACKSON HASTINGS arrived at Salford in July with a reputation as a troublemaker but he is fast earning cult status among Red Devils supporters.
The controversial Aussie playmaker, 22, was thrown out of Manly Sea Eagles in June after several off-field incidents at the NRL club.
Salford handed him a deal until the end of this season and tasked the former Sydney Roosters star with ensuring their Super League status.
Once again, Hastings was the star man with two of their 12 tries in yesterday’s demolition of Championship parttimers Halifax.
The Red Devils’ third straight win in the Qualifiers took them another huge step closer to their goal of safety – Salford Leeds Toronto WP Toulouse Hull KR Ldn Broncos Widnes Halifax P W D L F A Pts 3 3 0 0 122 20 6 3 2 0 1 132 92 4 3 2 0 1 70 50 4 3 2 0 1 92 76 4 3 2 0 1 76 86 4 3 1 0 2 75 102 2 3 0 0 3 48 95 0 3 0 0 3 10 104 0
boosting their hopes of signing Hastings permanently.
Head coach Ian Watson said: “Time will tell if we can keep Jackson but we have asked the club to give us the best shot we can of doing so.
“We did our homework on Jackson and we were happy to take that punt and it’s to our benefit.
“He’s really keen on us securing our Super League future. Hopefully we can keep him.”
Halifax coach Richard Marshall said: “Salford were outstanding and probably showed why they are top of this competition.”