Jackson Hastings could be on his way back to Super League, with Leeds Rhinos keeping close tabs on his situation at Newcastle Knights.
The halfback, who made his name with Salford and Wigan before returning to the NRL in 2022, has found himself frozen out of the first-grade set-up at Newcastle.
While his current deal runs until the end of this season, the Knights are reportedly open to letting him go earlier, a situation that has sparked renewed interest from England.
Love Rugby League reported Leeds are among several clubs monitoring Hastings as a potential marquee signing. The Rhinos aren't planning an overhaul ahead of 2025, but off-contract names like Matt Frawley and Morgan Gannon could open the door for a big-name arrival.
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Gannon is tipped to join the Warriors in the NRL, and there remains constant speculation around Brodie Croft’s future as reports out of Australia continue to link him with a return. That uncertainty has forced the Rhinos to consider their options, and Hastings’ availability could be perfectly timed.
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The 28-year-old has never hidden his fondness for Super League and has been open about wanting to return before the end of his career. With Newcastle seemingly no longer in his long-term plans, a fresh start back in England may now be a realistic possibility.
There’s also speculation swirling around Brad Arthur, who has been named as the frontrunner to lead a potential new NRL franchise in Perth — another variable that could shift the coaching landscape and potentially influence player movement like Hastings’.
While no deal is yet in place, Leeds’ interest is real, and with the NRL door closing fast, a Super League comeback for Hastings might soon move from rumour to reality.