The roller coaster career of former Newcastle Knight Jackson Hastings has taken its latest turn, with one of Super League’s biggest clubs confirming the 29-year-old playmaker is returning to the north of England in 2026.
Despite previously indicating he wanted to remain in Australia—and being linked to several clubs including the Canberra Raiders—Hastings has instead signed a one-year deal with St. Helens Saints, who finished fifth in the 2025 season and were eliminated by eventual Super League champions Hull KR in the finals.
In the official announcement from St. Helens, the Australian-born former British international said he was excited to start a new chapter.
“I’m just buzzing to get over … I’ve got a young family now, my partner’s English, and it’ll be great for my daughter to meet that side of the family and experience the English culture that’s in my blood,” Hastings said.
MORE: Reece Walsh vs Broncos—star misses 2026 line-up following royalties, IP concerns
Unsurprisingly, St. Helens coach Paul Rowley returned the love.
“I’m really pleased to welcome Jackson to the Saints, I am very confident we have added a fantastic and highly motivated player to this great group of players,” he said.
Jackson Hastings—a career of highs and lows
Hastings began his NRL career when he burst on to the scene with Sydney Roosters in 2014, however inconsistency and disciplinary problems ultimately saw him released from the final year of his three-year contact.
He then linked with the Sea Eagles in 2017 but his time at the club was again marred by off-field issues including a widely-reported falling out with then head coach Trent Barrett and senior playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans.
From the northern beaches Hastings’ next move was to the north of England where he played 87 games for Salford and Wigan between 2018 and 2021, and was named Super League ‘Man of Steel’ in 2019.
Thrown a two-year NRL lifeline by the Wests Tigers in 2022, but released after one season, Hastings ultimately signed with the Knights where he spent the past three years under Adam O’Brien.
Hastings appeared just five times in first-grade for Newcastle in 2025 and was not offered a new contract for 2026.
Born in Wollongong, Hastings is of English decent through his grandmother and played four matches for Great Britain in 2019.