Jackson fit for Super 8s

ALTHOUGH his Salford debut lasted just 20 minutes, Jackson Hastings made a match-winning contribution and was withdrawn as a precautionary measure – meaning he will be fit for the Super 8 Qualifiers.

The Australian halfback had only been in the country a few days when he lined up against Leeds, but produced a stunning performance before limping off the field midway through the first half with a tight hamstring.

“Looks like we’ve got a real player, eh?” said Red Devils coach Ian Watson.

“With his first involvement, he looked really sharp and I radioed upstairs to Willie [Poching] and said ‘even though he’s dropped the ball there, just his movements, he looked smooth’.

”The impact he had on the game was outstanding. I’ve not seen a half have an impact on a game like that for a long time.

“And then Rob Lui just grew in confidence on the back of it, because he’s just taken the pressure off Robbie.”

The combination of a longhaul flight and Hastings’ first top-level rugby in months contributed to his withdrawal, but Watson does not expect any long-term issues.

He said: “It’s more us just being cautious. It’s not for that game that we need him – though he made a massive dent against Leeds – it’s the middle eights we want him for.”

Salford were handed another boost with Lee Mossop facing no further action following his red card against the Rhinos.